Equipping Nurses Indispensable In Achieving SDGs- Prof. Aina

27/09/2017

-As NANNM Holds 2017 Nurses Week

Unless Nigerian nurses are adequately provided with resources for education, research and clinical practices at various levels of care, the attaining of the health components of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be a mirage in the country, Professor Joseph Aina of Babcock University has said.

Aina, who was the keynote speaker at the 2017 Lagos Nurses Week, acknowledged the laudability of the SDGs, but noted with concern that if nurses, who occupy a central position between doctors and patients are not well equipped and involved, the whole essence of the SDGs will be jeopardised, because the better the education of nurses, the better patients healthcare outcomes.

L-R: Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Healthcare, Dr Olufemi Onanuga; Director of Nursing Service, Health Service Commission, Mrs Dorcas Shonibare; Director of Nursing Service, Primary Healthcare Board, Mrs Oluwatoyin Odukoya, and Sub-dean, College of Nursing, Babcock University, Professor Joseph Aina at the event.

Speaking on the topic: “Nurses, a voice to lead in achieving the SDGs”, the nursing professor highlighted the health components of the SDGs, which include: reduction of maternal mortality by 70 percent; reduction in under 5 mortality to as low as 25 percent per 1000 live births; reduction of mortality from non-communicable diseases by one-third; reduction in road accidents; and access to sexual and reproductive health, all by 2030.Stressing the key roles nurses play in achieving these goals, Aina condemned the common portrayal of nurses, especially in movies, as being incapable of attending to any patient in the absence of a doctor, saying this is a wrong notion, because nurses can actually do a lot, even without the doctor.

He further described the relationship between nurses and physicians as a symbiosis, adding that they are partners, who need the services of one another to succeed, thus the issue of supremacy does not arise. The Babcock don further urged nurses to be strategic, aim higher, show interest in politics, reflect on dealings with patients, be abreast of recent developments, be assertive, and jettison habits that can prevent the achievement of the SDGs.

The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, represented by his Special Adviser on Primary Healthcare, Dr Femi Onanuga, commended the Lagos State National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) for organising the scientific gathering, stating that healthcare is central to development, and nursing is a profession that requires lifetime sacrifice, compassion and dedication to be successful.

He assured nurses of the commitment of the state government to healthcare, and particularly to nursing, urging them to strive to give their best at all times for the progress of healthcare delivery in the state.

Lagos NANNM Chairman, Comrade Olurotimi Julius Awojide, expressed his pleasure to have all his colleagues celebrating the 2017 Nurses’ Week together, more so, as it was the first to be held at the Nurses’ House, on Amara Olu Street, Agidingbi, Ikeja Lagos.

He appreciated the financial support of all the members towards the completion of the building, while also thanking the Lagos State government for its continuous support to nurses’ cause in the state.

He however appealed to the government to urgently pass the bill for a law to establish the Lagos State College of Nursing (School of Nursing, Midwifery and Public Health) and other connected matters.

In his words: “I want to call the attention of His Excellency to the plight of our members who have complied with the directive for performance improvement and have undergone training through self effort but were caught in a web, when a particular purportedly stopping retrospective approval was released in 2012. They had commenced the training before the said circular came out.”

He thus pleaded with the state government to come to their aid as it concerns their uniform allowances as enshrined by Public Service Rule 150134: implementation of one-year mandatory community service for graduate nurses in the state, and others.

In her contribution, the Local Organising Committee Chairman, Comrade Adeola Morolake, cited shortage of nurses as a major challenge to qualitative nursing care in the state, urging the government to do all it could to beef up manpower in this area for best patients outcome.

Prof. Samuel Achilefu:The maverick Inventor of “Cancer Goggles”

Solomon Ojigbo

27/09/2017

In a world where the ravages of cancer continue to cause wanton suffering and losses, the question on the minds of many who have been affected, whether directly or indirectly, by the scourge is: When will it all end? For this reason, many scientists globally have been working relentlessly to curb the carnage of cancer and it is a delight to know that one of those who have made the most phenomenal contributions towards the defeat of disease so far, is our very own Prof. Samuel Achilefu, the inventor of the ground-breaking cancer-goggles.

To understand the extent of revolution that Prof. Achilefu has triggered in the fight against cancer and the relief he has brought to his fellow scientists, cancer specialists, as well as cancer patients globally, a brief analysis is necessary.

A walk in the dark

Ordinarily, finding a single cancer cell in the human body is as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack. However, cancer cells often group together to form tumours, which, even at that, can be only be detected by high-tech diagnostic imaging equipment. Surgery is one of the most effective methods of removing cancerous tumours. But then, this form of treatment also presents some challenges as it is sometimes nearly impossible for surgeons to tell where a cancer tumour ends and a healthy tissue begins even under high magnification.

That aside, it is also worth noting that before surgery is done, imaging tests involving ophisticated machines can create detailed pictures of the location of cancer tumours in a patient, but for many surgeons, when the patient is in the operating room, it is like walking in the dark. Well, that was until the invention of the cancer-visualising glasses, otherwise known as “cancer goggles”, by Prof. Samuel Achilefu, a Professor of Radiology, Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biophysics.Finding the invisible

Prof. Achilefu’s rise to prominence in the scientific world began with a simple phrase – “what if?” – after seeing surgeons being frustrated about their inability to completely remove cancer tumours during surgery. “I thought, what if we create something that lets one see things that aren’t available to the ordinary human eye…?” Achilefu stated during an award acceptance speech at the Eric P. Newman Education Centre in St Louis.

Prof. Achilefu and his team would spend the next five years developing the imaging technology in cancer diagnosis into a wearable night vision-like goggles, so that surgeons could see the cancer cells while operating. The glasses help to distinguish between malignant cells and normal cells, ensuring that no stray tumour cells are left behind during surgery.

The team also discovered a way to exclusively make cancer cells fluorescent (glow), using fluorescent markers making the cancer cells detectable by the visualising goggles. This innovation reduces the need for additional surgical procedures, and the subsequent stress on patients, as well as time and expenses.

Using the cancer visualising goggles require two steps in surgical cancer treatment. First, an infrared fluorescent marker is injected into the patient’s bloodstream. The peptides contained in the marker enable it to selectively locate cancerous cells and buries itself inside. After some hours surgeon would begin the operation, inspecting tumours under infrared light that reacts with the fluorescent marker, causing the cancer cells to glow from within when viewed with the goggles.

Recognitions

Prof. Achilefu has been variously honoured for his ground-breaking efforts. In 2014, he was given the prestigious St. Louis Award. Two years later, he became the first recipient of the Breast Cancer Research Programme Distinguished Investigator Award, a $4.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defence, for his research efforts in using UV light, which is invisible to the naked eye, and a photosensitive chemotherapy drug and the body’s immune system to target and obliterate breast cancer cells.

This landmark approach operates with the principle that when certain drugs are exposed to UV light, they break down, giving off toxic radicals that kill the cancer cell from within. The implication of this is that oncologists do not have to give a chemotherapy dose that is very toxic to patients; rather, they can give a dose that only becomes toxic when inside a cancer cell. The work, known as photo-immunotherapy, has finished basic stages and is in animal model testing.

Family background

Born to Nigerian parents in 1963, his father worked with hospitals and clinics in northern Nigeria, until the civil war broke out. He was about five years old then when his family were forced to move from Northern Nigeria to the south east, leaving all they had to start life anew.

Achilefu had his primary and secondary education in “some village schools” in southeast Nigeria, but was fortunate to be one of five students to win a French government scholarship to attend graduate school in France, where he received a PhD in molecular and materials chemistry at the University of Nancy. He had his post-doctoral studies at Oxford University, training on the “interface between chemistry and haematology, working on developing blood substitutes”.

Prof Achilefu moved from Oxford to St. Louis, US in 1993 to join the nascent Discovery Research Department at Mallinckrodt Medical Inc. In 2001, he joined Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at Washington University. He is currently a Professor of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine, division of radiological sciences and a co-director at Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Centre for Oncologic Imaging Programme. He is also the director of Optical Radiology Lab (ORL) at Washington University in St. Louis.

He is married to Nnena Achilefu, and they are blessed with two children.

Research Interest

Prof. Achilefu’s research interest areas include: molecular optical imaging of tumours and angiogenesis, as well as the design and development of new molecular probes and nanomaterials for imaging the expression of aberrant genes, proteins, and other pathophysiologic processes. He is also interested in specific delivery of imaging agents and drugs to target cell organelles or tissue.

Ending Incessant Health Workers’ Strikes

Admin

27/09/2017

In the past few weeks, many Nigerians were subjected to untold suffering as a result of the strike action embarked upon by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), and many more may suffer in the coming weeks, as another group of health workers, the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) recently commenced a nationwide indefinite strike action, code-named: “Operation Alligator Bite.”

According to JOHESU, the decision became inevitable due to federal government’s repeated failure to implement series of MOUs and agreements it had with the union, as well its refusal to abide by the decision of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria on the case it had with the union. NARD, on its part, had cited government’s repeated failure to ensure “circularisation of house officer’s entry point, despite various collective agreements on the issue” as one of its major grievances.

These moves by NARD and JOHESU are the latest manifestations of the malaise of unrest and disruption that has become the hallmark of the nation’s health sector in recent years. Indeed, within the last five years, the Nigerian health system has experienced about 15 different strike actions, involving doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health workers. In each of these instances, provision of quality health services to Nigerians was paralysed, leading to needless deaths and complications of health conditions.

This recurrent disruption of healthcare services that has become the norm in the Nigerian health sector is an appalling anomaly that must be urgently and decisively addressed. The health sector is a critical sector, where the prompt intervention of dedicated and committed health professionals is often what makes the difference in life-and-death situations, especially for patients in dire straits.

Even more worrisome is that the reasons tendered for the industrial actions are often the same, from year to year: remuneration and welfare of workers, poor infrastructure, career stagnation, failure to implement agreements, discriminatory policies and poor funding. It beggars belief that these basic issues cannot be resolved to avert the miseries and tragedies that result from these strikes.

While we agree that conflicts and disagreements are sometimes unavoidable in any industry, including the health industry, it is high time we realised as a nation that strikes by health workers is like an internecine war; an ill wind that blows nobody any good and must thus be avoided by every means possible.

We call on the government to give the nation’s health sector the priority attention it deserves. It is the height of irresponsibility to handle matters relating to health with flippancy, considering that some of the consequences of such could be irreversible. Rather than waiting for health workers to embark on industrial action before calling them for discussion, the government must take measures to proactively resolve the issues at the heart of the incessant disharmony in the health sector. Issues of remuneration, health sector leadership and proper funding must be sincerely tackled, if Nigeria really desires a world-class health sector that adequately serves the healthcare needs of the citizens.

We must also hasten to urge health workers to exercise maximum restraint and stop the recourse to strikes action for virtually every disagreement, considering the enormous negative effects on the citizens. Indeed, if strikes were the solution to the problems besetting the health sector, all the issues leading to conflicts should have been resolved by now. It is thus imperative for stakeholders in the health sector to begin to rethink the rules of engagement whenever there are issues to be resolved in the sector. We have to save patients from this macabre ritual of needless deaths and complications due to strikes.

Nigerian Pharma Market to Hit $1.3 Trillion by 2020, Expert Predicts

27/09/2017

Following the steady growth of the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry in the last decade, an expert has posited that the blossoming drugs market is anticipated to double its current worth in two years.

Speaking at the just concluded 4th Nigerian Pharma Manufacturers’ Expo, held at Open Haven, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, from 30 August to 1 September, Paresh Jhurmarvala, chief executive officer of GPE Expo PVT Limited noted that the country’s record of 130 registered drug manufacturers stands her out as the largest in both Central and West African pharma markets.

“Your pharmaceutical imports in 2013 reached a value of $481 million. These are expected to further gain 10.4 per cent to reach $789 million by next year (2018),” Jhurmarvala said.

He added: “I must confess that the strength, consistent growth, investments in pharma manufacturing facilities and, more importantly, the synchronisation among regulatory bodies like NAFDAC, ministry of health, PMG-MAN and pharmacy fraternity made this possible to position Nigeria on the world trade map.”

L-R: Paresh Jhurmarvala, chief executive officer of GPE Expo PVT Limited; Piyush Srivastava, Additional Development Commissioner, Government of India; and Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) at 4th Nigerian Pharma Manufacturers’ Expo, held at Open Haven, Ikeja, GRA, Lagos, recently.

While lauding the collective effort of stakeholders in the sector, Jhurmarvala disclosed that it did not only help the industry to grow but equally played a major role to ensure a qualitative therapeutic solution though made-in-Nigeria healthcare products.

The Indian also applauded the 2017 Nigerian Pharma Manufacturers’ Expo saying that the annual event has become a trusted and recognised business platform that provides equal and unparalleled opportunities to manufacturers and marketers of pharmacy equipment, processing and packaging machineries, laboratory devices, utility products & services, pharma API & formulations.

In his earlier address on “Increasing Access to Healthcare in Nigeria: Strategic Partnerships to Achieve Medicine Security and National Self Sufficiency,” Dr Okey Akpa, chairman, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) told participants that the comprehensive advocacy put up by his association had yielded significant advances in the pharma manufacturing landscape in Nigeria as well as the continent.

Akpa further lauded Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, vice president of the country for issuing an executive order on support for local content in public procurement, directing the mandatory patronage of locally manufactured medicines by all government MDAs.

“This policy is expected to accelerate growth and development of the local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, which will in turn ensure national medicines’ security, as well as boost self-sufficiency in production of medicines.

“Other positives associated with these policies include stimulation of considerable employment in the sector that will lead to increased inflow of foreign direct investment, as well as export of Nigerian medicines to neighbouring countries,” he stressed.

More than 108 participating companies exhibited their latest technologies on pharma formulations and manufacturing at the 2017 edition of the Nigerian Pharma Expo.

NAPPSA Records Largest Attendance from Nigeria, Europe, Appreciates all participants

Temitope Obayendo

26/09/2017

In what has been described as a successful and wonderful conference, the just concluded 11th Annual Scientific Conference and Exposition of the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA) ended on a terrific note with highest number of participants from Nigeria and Europe.

The newly installed president of the association, Dr Leo Egbujiobi, however sympathised with those members, who were prevented from attending the conference, due to the hurricanes, adding that they had results-oriented discussions.

In the president’s vote of thanks to all, he specially acknowledged the contributions of the LOC team, for a job well-done. “We thank Prof. Sunny Ohia, Pharmacist Iloanya and the entire LOC team for their exceptional leadership, friendliness, and fantastic hospitality accorded the largest ever crowd of attendees. Our immediate past president, Dr. Nkere Ebube, left a big shoe to fill. Thank you Houston for making NAPPSA proud”, he remarked.

Egbujiobi also appreciated all the attendees -the young professionals, and to our Nigerian colleagues for the wonderful fellowship. He described how they had special time to socialize, deliberate on serious issues on the state of pharmacy and healthcare in the global society.“It is noteworthy that we also had the largest number of individual pharmacists and scientists who travelled from Nigeria and Europe in attendance. I personally enjoyed the several outstanding scientific posters presented by our rising stars”, he emphasised.

Pharmacy Academy Set To Induct Six

Temitope Obayendo

26/09/2017

The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) will on September 28, invest six professionals into its esteemed ranks.The six eminent professionals, who are billed to be inducted into the Academy, have been painstakingly selected from a diverse pool of practice areas.

“Beyond the fact that they are distinguished in their various practice areas, each inductee possesses a mindset and disposition that align with the Academy’s mission and reason for being”, said Professor Fola Tayo, pro-chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council of Caleb University, who also doubles as General Secretary of the Academy.

The list of the inductees include: Professor Herbert A.B Coker; Dr Ogori Taylor; Professor Mojisola C.Adeyeye; Dr Teresa Pounds; Professor Karniyus S.Gamaniel; and Pharm.Calixthus Okoruwa.The ceremony will also feature a world-renowned cancer researcher and professor of pharmacology, Isa Marte Hussaini, who will be making a keynote presentation on his distinguished work on the use of local herbs in cancer therapy.

In a press statement announcing the investiture ceremony, Tayo described cancer as a chronic disease condition for which the scientific community is still grappling with the need to better understand in order to proffer more effective preventive, management and curative approaches. “Professor Hussaini’s work is a tribute to academic excellence and apart from informing society about the progress he has made so far, we also want to inspire the rest of the scientific community and keep the quest for research into problems that afflict mankind, on the front-burner”, he added.

The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy is a specialized academy that among others, seeks to promote scientific research and professional development especially in the health, pharmaceutical and related sectors in order to help overcome challenges posed by pain and disease as well as fast-track social and economic development in Nigeria and beyond.

Last July, it brought together, professionals drawn from the health sciences – medicine, pharmacy, nursing, medical laboratory sciences, physiotherapy and others – to brainstorm and proffer solutions on the subject of inter-professional collaboration, against the backdrop of the animosity and inter-professional rivalry that exists in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. The Academy has also been active at jointly reviewing the training curriculum for pharmacists in order to enable the profession keep pace with global developments such that the professionals remain relevant to the needs and aspirations of patients and the larger society.

The Academy is the fifth such specialized academies in Nigeria, with others being the Academies of Science, Letters, Arts and Engineering respectively.

World Pharmacists Day 2017: ACPN, DIC Take Campaign To Shomolu (VIDEO)

26/09/2017

As Nigerian pharmacists join the rest of the world to mark this year‘s World Pharmacists Day, which is usually celebrated every September 25, the Drug Information Centre (DIC), of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), has called on all pharmacists in the country, especially those in the community practice, to strategize on attaining the global goal of the pharmaceutical profession, which is moving from research to healthcare, and service delivery.

Speaking at the event organised to commemorate the “World Pharmacy Day 2017”, held at Akinwumi Ambode Primary Health Care Centre, Shomolu, Lagos, the Chairperson, ACPN national, DIC, Pharm. Bukola Folorunsho explained that the World Pharmacists Day is celebrated to commemorate and honour the contribution of pharmacists to the world, saying the community pharmacists were at the community to show the public that pharmacists are at their service always.

Members of DIC team, attending to participants at the event

She noted that in line with the theme of the global event, “From Research to Health Care: Your Pharmacist is at your service”, which was chosen to reflect the numerous contributions of the pharmacy profession to the healthcare sector, she assured the populace of their selfless services including medicine information, patient counselling, drug information and medication review, counselling as well as enlightenment.

“In our day to day practice, we have realized that a lot of people are ignorant of how medicine works and as a result, series of abuse is ongoing in the country, to the extent that people now use drug for different purposes, other than the purpose the drug is meant to serve. Antibiotic abuse is on the increase, as well as abuse of so many other drugs. Thus, as pharmacists, we have set today being a very special day; globally aside to attend to people free of charge and meet their needs in the aspect of drug need and pharmaceutical care.”

Other pharmacists at the event that also spoke include, Pharm. Jonah Okotie , publicity secretary, HCPAN; Pharm. Okame Okah-Avae, manager, DIC, ACPN national; Pharm. Christy Ediomo-Abasi, former national treasurer, ACPN; Pharm. Oby Ikwu, Publicity Secretary, ACPN, Lagos State and Pharm. Lawrence Ekhator, former national assistant secretary, ACPN, among others.

The programme also offered free counseling and screening as well as free distribution of drugs to about 500 beneficiaries from Shomolu community and its environs

“World Pharmacists Day was the brainchild of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), with the FIP council voting to establish the event in the late 2000s during a conference they staged in Istanbul, Turkey. The aim of the day is to bring attention to pharmacies and the positive benefits they offer when it comes to health, and FIP encourages all its members to get involved to make the event a success.”

How Do You Worship?

Ifeanyi Atueyi

26/09/2017

The word “worship” often gives the impression of religious activities performed in church on Sundays. But the Bible gives a much broader perspective. The Hebrew word for “work” is often used to describe worship, service and cultivation – which indicates the need to integrate our services with glorification of God.

This perspective of work began in Genesis 2:15 where God “took the man and put him in the Garden to work it.” Also, in Colossians 3:23-24, Paul says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (NIV). Verse 26 of the same passage warns that if what we do is unjust in the sight of man and therefore, in the sight of God, we will be paid back for the wrong we have done.

God is not partial and has no favourites. Therefore, let your work or service be acceptable to Him for you to receive a reward. It is your work that makes you known or famous. Proverbs 22:29 says, “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men” (NASB). People are remembered by their work, even after death. Gustave Flaubert said, “Be steady and well-ordered in your life so that you can be fierce and original in your work.” Originality in your business makes you stand out.

Life is dull without work. Laziness and dullness are the curses of life. Romans 12: 11 says, “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” You are indeed serving the Lord in your business. Successful people understand the value of work; they devote themselves to it. Such people uplift the standard of their lives. Thus, work is worship in our life, without which life would be without purpose.

Adam was created to take care of God’s creations. Man was created to manage and have dominion over other creatures. He was created after a managerial function had been prepared for him to perform. Indeed, every believer is engaged in full-time ministry, and our work is a critical part of our ministry.

As humans we are created for productive activities, to make the world a better place. The truth is that God created human beings to work. Our occupations as carpenters, plumbers, gardeners, teachers, lawyers, pharmacists, engineers, pilots, physicians, should be done to God’s glory.

Our work is a vehicle, a chance, an opportunity for each one of us to express ourselves. This perspective can change everything about how we see our work, and how much it can contribute to our life. It is not just something on which we spend one-third of our time to get money. Instead, work is a platform where we can showcase the very best in ourselves. It is our chance to grow and become all we ever wanted to be. It is the most important, and the best thing in our lives. We should not miss or waste even a single second of it. It is a vehicle to have the life we always wanted to have.

Work should be a pleasure, not a burden. Surveys have shown that work and sleep each takes around 33 per cent or one-third of all our days in a year. In many surveys around the world, it has been found that most people (more than 50 per cent) are not happy in their work and thus seek happiness in the remaining 33 per cent or one-third of the remaining time they have. This situation has emotional and psychological implications.

James A. Michener said, “The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labour and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he’s always doing both.”

Service of humanity is service of God. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

All work is sacred. There is no menial work when done with the right mental attitude to please God who has given us the ability and gifts to utilise in His service. Individuals are given different gifts in different measures to make the world a better place.

Your work is to fulfill divine purpose so that the will of God may be carried out in every direction. God must use people to execute His programmes on earth. In your work, you offer Him your intellect, hands, feet, time and even your life. That is why there is need to consecrate your body for His service or worship.

VOF Holds Medical Outreach in Anambra

Admin

25/09/2017

The Victor Oguaju Foundation (VOF) a non-governmental organisation (NGO) committed to complimenting government’s efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recently held a medical outreach programme to educate women in Isuofia, Anambra State, on the importance of healthy living and how to achieve it.

According to the organiser, Mr Victor Oguaju, a pharmacy student of University of Nigeria (UNN), the programme, held during the annual August meeting of the Catholic Women Organisation of St Patrick Parish, Isuofia, in partnership with the Anambra State Ministry of Health, is part of the VOF stay Fine Initiative (SFI), which focuses on the important roles women play in making society healthier.While thanking the Anambra State Commissioner of Health, Dr Joe Akabuike, for the ministry’s support for VOF, Mr Oguaju pledged the continuous commitment of the foundation to more health projects that will further benefit the state and the nation.

Speaking at the event, Pharm. Kingsley Ojukwu, who delivered a lecture on how to prevent and manage age-related non-communicable diseases, urged the women to embrace healthy lifestyle like having good night sleep, eating fruits and vegetables, drinking lots of water, and avoiding sedentary lifestyle by doing regular exercise.

The president, Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) Mrs Okafor Judith thanked Mr Victor Oguaju for the Stay Fine Initiative and urged the foundation to sustain the programme

The programme, she said, is quite beneficial to women and good for the nation

She also commended the Anambra State Ministry of Health for the partnership with the foundation which helped to make the programme a success

The highlight of the occasion was the distribution of multivitamins and insecticidal bed nets to expectant and nursing mothers.

Redefining the Roles of Pharmacists

Admin

25/09/2017

By Fabrice Humura

Pharmacists practice in nearly all areas and specialties in healthcare, sometimes behind the scenes and obviously not to the public eye arena, as the medicines experts on the healthcare team. They are necessary in all facets of healthcare.

A Pharmacist as defined by World Health Organization, is a healthcare professional licensed to prepare, compound, and dispense drugs upon written order known as a prescription. A pharmacist cooperates, consults with, and advises the licensed practitioner concerning drugs.

From this sole definition, a number of popular misconceptions about pharmacy as a profession could be disapproved. The main concern that a pharmacist’ s role is limited to typically picking the tablets off the shelf, counting them out and handing them over does not match with the aforementioned roles streamlined in the definition of WHO.

The role of a pharmacist starts right from the manufacturing of medications; a lot about this is mostly experienced in developed countries which have drug industry. The knowledge of a pharmacist is reliable in preparation of medication to ensure the right ingredients are used in compounding of medicines availed in all forms ranging from solids to liquids to gaseous.

As medication specialists, pharmacists’ crucial responsibility is displayed in the healthcare team through medicines preparations, manufacturing and information they make available. Pharmacists educate and advise the physicians and other health professionals on medication therapy. They ensure no interaction amid prescribed drugs which could be detrimental to patients.

A long hectic day full of anticipated and many unanticipated scenarios can pose a physician or any other healthcare professional to prescribe a wrong dose or incorrect medication relatively to a diagnosed infection. In such cases, the ultimate role of a pharmacist becomes evidently recognized as the prescriptions get scrutinized and the pharmacist intervene in advising the healthcare team on the right treatment in conjunction to avoiding the medication errors as well as irrational medicine usage. All these are done out of patient watch and they could not realize the important role of the pharmacist in their recovery. With this concerns therefore, the healthcare team, which inevitably uses medications, must admit the importance of a pharmacist.

As the world is at its highest pace of development, enormous diseases result from this progress due to industrialization, people’s life style to name just a few. Among those diseases include non communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases notoriously known to be amongst deadly diseases.

Pharmacists don’t detach from providing information and advice on management of those non communicable diseases and assistance to patients living with them. Moreover, pharmacists are not impeded to screen for blood glucose level, blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference and other health status values which can predetermine the early developmental stage of non communicable diseases.

Succinctly, a pharmacist by the perception of many is not solely the person who typically takes a request for medicines, evaluates the authenticity of the prescription and dispenses the medication as you pay, but a pharmacist is the first and foremost a patient centered healthcare professional, ready to explain to people why they take their medications, what are they for, the names and strength of the medication and expected outcomes while taking medication.

Mr. Fabrice is a Pharmacy Student at University of Rwanda. College of Medicine and Health sciences. Twitter: @fhumura

Pfizer, Genotype Foundation, Advocate Increased Awareness of SCD in Local Communities

Temitope Obayendo

22/09/2017

-About 70 million Nigerians are living with the gene

In view of the prevalence of the Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) in the country, with Nigeria leading with the highest number of people living with the condition in the world, Pfizer Nigeria Plc and Genotype Foundation have called for an intensified campaign on the disorder in rural communities, in order to stem the spread of the condition.

The stakeholders who lamented the mortalityof under five children in affected communities, due to lack of proper knowledge on the disease, noted that SCD is not a death sentence, but knowing how best to manage it, is key to the survival of the patients.

L-R: Dr Sanda Ajibola of the Sickle Cell Foundation; Mrs. Osisami O. Adekunbi; an educationist; Founder, Genotype Foundation, Mrs Doris Gbemiloye; Mrs Toyin Adesola, executive director and founder of Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI); Miss Osasele Esangbedo, founder of Noah’s Ark Foundation of Sickle Cell; and Mr Innocent C. Adulugba, corporate communications manager, May & Baker Plc, at the programme.

Speaking at the event organised by the Genotype Foundation in collaboration with Pfizer, May and Baker, and others, themed: “Have Sickle Cell? But Sickle Cell have not got you”, the Pfizer Medical Director, Dr. Kodjo Soroh decried the meager information available to people living with the disorder

“Despite the high incidence of SCD in Nigeria, little is still known on the cause and the management of the disorder is still a big challenge, especially in rural communities. Increased awareness is key to reducing the burden because there are also proper management plans for people living with it”, he stressed.

Addressing the participants on the management of SCD, Dr Sanda Ajibola of the Sickle Cell Foundation emphasized the need for parents to know their children’s genotype as early as possible, to prevent infant mortality, because SCD is one of the killers of under five children in the country.

Ajibola who is the Head of Haematology Clinic of the foundation, said about 60- 70 Nigerians are living with the sickle cell gene, which makes it imperative for everyone to know the signs and symptoms of the disorder. He simply described SCD as a group of disorders that affects haemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that delivers oxygen to cells throughout the body.

He listed the hall marks of SCD to include: painful swollen hands and feet in children; yellowness of the eyes; anaemia; swollen abdomen; disappearance of spleen in majority of patients around 9 t0 10 years; leg ulcers; avascular necrosis, infant mortality, and so on.

The haematologist urged the patients to always attend their clinic days, and should be free to discuss with their caregivers on any issue bothering them, because they are in position to help find solution to all challenges of their patients, for better healthcare outcomes.

The convener of the event and founder, Genotype Foundation, Mrs Doris Gbemiloye spoke on the essence of the awareness campaign, saying it is the custom of the foundation to stage an enlightenment programme every September, to create awareness on the management of the disease as well as seek support for people living with the condition.

Mrs Adesola, responding to the question of one of the participants, during the panel discussion at the event on Thursday, 21 September, 2017, at the MRC Hall, of LASUTH.

‘Mommy Genotype’, as she is fondly called, said she has been living with SCD for fifty three years, though she had experienced several crises, but she has survived till now due to God’s grace, better management, and support from family and friends.

She urged every parent of children living with the condition and the public to desist from stigmatising their children, stating that SCD is just a genetic disorder, and that “your child is not a different ball game”.

According to the oldest woman living with SCD, Alhaja Laguda Onikoyi, who was a special guest of honour at the event, but couldn’t make it due to her ailing her, she spoke via a telephone call during the programme and told the audience that SCD is not a death sentence, because she will be 92 years of age, come 10, November 2017.

Mama Laguda who had all her six children through normal delivery and live like every other human being, assured the patients of the possibility of living their lives to the fullest, provided they trust God for sound health and take their medications accordingly.

In addition to the convener and haematologist, other members of the panel who entertained questions from the participants include: Mrs Toyin Adesola, Executive director and founder of Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI); Mrs. Osisami O. Adekunbi; educationist and a carrier of SCD for 52 years; Miss Osasele Esangbedo, caterer and founder of Noah’s Ark Foundation of Sickle Cell, had been managing SCD for 42 years.

All of these people have loads of tales to tell on the journey so far in the management of the condition, but one thing was unique about their stories, it is their determination to achieve their purposes in life, notwithstanding their conditions.

For the executive director of SAMI, she had this to say,”I have been managing sickle SCD for fifty two years, and I can confidently say what every carrier requires to survive. There are a couple of things one needs to be aware of, when you a living with any chronic illness, like SCD. You have to be heavily informed, and you don’t have to wait for others to misinform you, do your research yourself. Understand what triggers your disorder, and then find people that will support you emotionally and psychologically. But if you are among people who will always put you down, and pity you, yourself esteem will drop and you go into depression and emotional stress affect us.

“Secondly, you have to be aware of the proper medical personnel that know how to manage SCD, because not all healthcare givers know how to manage SCD effectively. Then follow up your medicals, because it is observed that a lot of people neglect their medications due to poverty, opting for home management. No, you cannot manage certain things at home; you have to go out there to ensure you get a knowledgeable caregiver.

“Again what you eat, determines how well you live. If you are eating all sorts of rubbish, you should please stop. Even a healthy person needs live food to build his immune system, let alone someone who is living with a chronic condition. It should not be medicines all the time; you need foods to build your immunity. You also need to have positive mind, and a strong faith in God that all will be well”.

Cholera outbreak claims 48 lives, out of about 2,300 confirmed cases in Borno State

Admin

21/09/2017

About 10 million Dollars needed urgently to respond to cholera outbreak in North-East Nigeria – UN

The United Nations and its partners are urgently appealing for $9.9 million to respond to the current cholera outbreak in Borno State, north-east Nigeria, and prevent further outbreaks in high-risk areas. A Cholera Response and Prevention Plan has been developed to address the immediate needs of 3.7 million people that could be affected by the outbreak.

Despite extensive efforts to improve sanitation conditions in camps and raise awareness on the importance of best hygiene practices, the first cholera cases were identified in Borno State on 16 August. The outbreak has claimed at least 48 lives, out of close to 2,300 confirmed and/or suspected cases.

Humanitarian partners have been working around the clock in support of the Borno State Ministry of Health to contain the outbreak and implement preventive measures in the most at-risk locations. Four specialized treatment centres (for the most severe cases) and seven oral rehydration points (for the milder cases) have been set up in all three affected areas. Teams of community mobilizers and chlorine sprayers have been going from shelter to shelter, informing families of the risk of infection and how to get treatment should symptoms arise.

“The clock is ticking. The camps for displaced persons are congested; there is not enough water, sanitation facilities are poor, and the health care system is weak. We must tackle this urgently to avoid preventable suffering and loss of life,” said Peter Lundberg, the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria.

The Cholera Response and Prevention Plan lays out the strategy to address the outbreak from all angles over the next few months: treating identified cases, monitoring and tracking of new potential cases, improving sanitation conditions, ensuring affected people have access to clean water, informing communities and carrying out vaccination campaigns and other life-saving interventions.

“We need a holistic and comprehensive response to this outbreak and a clear prevention strategy,” Mr. Lundberg added. “The implications of not responding in a timely manner could be absolutely devastating for millions of conflict-affected women, children and men who are already living in very dire conditions.”

The humanitarian crisis in Nigeria’s north-east is one of the most severe in the world today, with 8.5 million people in need of life-saving aid in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, out of whom 6.9 million are targeted for humanitarian assistance.

Source:United Nations (UN).

The World is Running Out of Antibiotics to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance – WHO

Admin

21/09/2017

A report launched yesterday by WHO, Titled: “Antibacterial agents in clinical development – an analysis of the antibacterial clinical development pipeline, including tuberculosis” shows a serious lack of new antibiotics under development to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.

“Antimicrobial resistance is a global health emergency that will seriously jeopardize progress in modern medicine,” says WHO’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “There is an urgent need for more investment in research and development for antibiotic-resistant infections including TB, otherwise we will be forced back to a time when people feared common infections and risked their lives from minor surgery.”

Most of the drugs currently in the clinical pipeline are modifications of existing classes of antibiotics and are only short-term solutions. The report found very few potential treatment options for those antibiotic-resistant infections identified by WHO as posing the greatest threat to health, including drug-resistant tuberculosis which kills around 250 000 people each year.

In addition to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, WHO has identified 12 classes of priority pathogens – some of them causing common infections such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections – that are increasingly resistant to existing antibiotics and urgently in need of new treatments.

The report identifies 51 new antibiotics and biologicals in clinical development to treat priority antibiotic-resistant pathogens, as well as tuberculosis and the sometimes deadly diarrhoeal infection Clostridium difficile.

Among all these candidate medicines, however, only 8 are classed by WHO as innovative treatments that will add value to the current antibiotic treatment arsenal.

There is a serious lack of treatment options for multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant M. tuberculosis and gram-negative pathogens, including Acinetobacter and Enterobacteriaceae (such as Klebsiella and E.coli) which can cause severe and often deadly infections that pose a particular threat in hospitals and nursing homes.

There are also very few oral antibiotics in the pipeline, yet these are essential formulations for treating infections outside hospitals or in resource-limited settings.

“Pharmaceutical companies and researchers must urgently focus on new antibiotics against certain types of extremely serious infections that can kill patients in a matter of days because we have no line of defence,” says Dr Suzanne Hill, Director of the Department of Essential Medicines at WHO.

To counter this threat, WHO and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) set up the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (known as GARDP). On 4 September 2017, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Wellcome Trust pledged more than €56 million for this work.

“Research for tuberculosis is seriously underfunded, with only two new antibiotics for treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis having reached the market in over 70 years,” says Dr Mario Raviglione, Director of the WHO Global Tuberculosis Programme. “If we are to end tuberculosis, more than US$ 800 million per year is urgently needed to fund research for new antituberculosis medicines”.

New treatments alone, however, will not be sufficient to combat the threat of antimicrobial resistance. WHO works with countries and partners to improve infection prevention and control and to foster appropriate use of existing and future antibiotics. WHO is also developing guidance for the responsible use of antibiotics in the human, animal and agricultural sectors.

Lagos Nurses Decry Omega Pentecostal Ministry’s Act on Quacks Training

Temitope Obayendo

20/09/2017

The entire nurses of Lagos State have condemned the action of a denomination, with the name Omega Pentecostal Ministry (OPM) for embarking on a three-week training of quack nurses, without the approval of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) or that of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).

The Lagos State NANNM Chairman, Comrade Olurotimi Julius Awojide, expressed the displeasure of all nurses in the state to the ugly development, calling for urgent disciplinary action to be taken against the denomination by NMCN as well as the national body of NANNM, in order to forestall further degeneration in the noble profession.

L-R: The Royal Father of the day, Oba Hakeem A.Eweobaja 1,Oba of Aguda Town, Lagos and the Lagos NANNM Chairman, Comrade Olurotimi Awojide at the event

Awojide spoke at the 2017 Nurses Week Opening Ceremony, held at the Nurses House, on Amara Olu Street, Agidingbin, Ikeja on Tuesday 19, September 2017.He noted that nursing is a great and respected profession, the world over, but quackery constitutes menace to the society.

He pleaded with the governor on a number of issues affecting his members, among which were, the urgent passage of a bill for a law to establish the Lagos State College of Nursing and other connected matters; the implementation of Public Service Rule 150134 regarding the payment of uniform allowances for nurses; approval of the mandatory community service for the graduands of the Lagos State School of Basic Midwifery, and others.

Mrs Shonibare along with Comrade Awojide, presenting a portrait of Governor Ambode to his representative, Dr Onanuga at the event.

In his address, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, commended the Lagos State National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) for organising such scientific session, stating that healthcare is central to development, and nursing is a profession that requires lifetime sacrifice, compassion and dedication to be successful.

The Governor, who was ably represented by the Special Adviser on Primary Healthcare, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga, assured the nurse of the commitment of the state government to healthcare, and particularly to nursing, urging them to strive to give their best at all time for the progress of healthcare delivery in the state.

The high point of the conference was the presentation of a portrait of Governor Ambode to his representative, Dr Onanuga, which was highly cheered by the audience and all guests, as every nurse struggled to catch a snapshot of the presentation.

Cross section of nurses and Apex matrons at the event

The Keynote Speaker, sub-dean, College of Nursing, Babcock University, Professor Joseph Aina, acknowledged the laudability of the SDGs, but noted with dismay that if nurses, who occupy central position between doctors and patients are not well aligned, the whole essence of the SDGs might be jeopardized, because the better the education of nurses, the better patients healthcare outcomes.

Whereas the church OPM claimed it was a way of giving back to the people by empowering its members through free skills acquisition programme titled: “society for safe motherhood.”

In a video posted online, the quack nurses, all clad in white uniforms boasted that in less than three weeks, using the curriculum of the mother for safe motherhood, they had learnt how to assess the gestational age of the foetus, give injections and set up infusions, administer immunization, amongst other health services.

However, the zonal officer of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria in a statement posted on facebook had assured nurses that the council is aware of the issue and “we are going to do everything possible to investigate and get to the root of the matter and necessary actions taken”.

FIP Awards Initiatives on Cancer, Drug Safety, Others

Admin

19/09/2017

A campaign that led to a long-term pharmacy service screening people for colorectal cancer was today declared the winner of this year’s International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Health Promotion Campaign Award. The award was announced during the 77th World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science taking place in Seoul, Republic of Korea. PharmaSuisse, the Swiss pharmacy association responsible for the “No to colorectal cancer” campaign, shared the award with the Korean Pharmaceutical Association (KPA) for a campaign on safe drug use. FIP’s other professional association award, for best Pharmacy Practice Improvement Programme, went to the Royal Dutch Pharmacists Association (KNMP) for its campaign “The first time”, which raised awareness about the value of the counselling provided by community pharmacists to patients prescribed a new medicine.

The Swiss campaign saw almost half of the country’s pharmacists signing up to offer the screening service in collaboration with doctors, screening specifically people between 50 and 75 years of age who had not had a colonoscopy within the past 10 years. The campaign was supported by widespread media coverage and a website accessible to the public with a dedicated section for pharmacists. Based on a questionnaire, pharmacists evaluated a person’s risk factors for colorectal cancer, which provided the criteria for direct referral to a doctor or for a stool test. Those who took a stool test received their results from the pharmacist. Those with positive results were referred and those with negative results were given lifestyle advice and registered for another screening in two years’ time. As a result of the six-week campaign, it is estimated that 58 cases of cancer and 368 cases of advanced adenoma were detected. Moreover, more than 600 pharmacies implemented the service on a daily basis and are ready to provide the second screening. PharmaSuisse addressed the cost-efficiency of this service as part of its work, showing that the costs of treatments saved completely compensated the cost of screening. “It is a great honour for pharmaSuisse to be the recipient of this award. It is a strong recognition of our huge investment to implement new services in pharmacy. It is important that pharmacists are recognised as key partners also in the topic of prevention,” said Ms Martine Ruggli, head of department, interprofessional collaboration, pharmaSuisse.

The Korean campaign had the aim of promoting public health through providing education on the responsible use of medicines and was established in response to rising medicines-related problems in the country. As part of the campaign, pharmacists have been trained to become educators, targeting a wide range of people, including socially vulnerable groups, such as those with low incomes, in a number of different surroundings, including children’s fairs and rural areas, and through varied channels, for example, a guidebook, a website and a competition. Different areas of drug safety were addressed, including illegal drugs and the responsible use of medicines, and more than a million people have been reached. “The campaign has made a great contribution to the establishment of the public-centred pharmacist roles. The ultimate goal is to expand the pharmacist’s role so that people can recognise the pharmacist as an advocate of health promotion,” said Ms Lee Ae Hyung, director of appropriate drug use, Korean Pharmaceutical Association.

The Dutch campaign, conducted by the KNMP at the request of the Dutch government, not only succeeded in promoting a service provided by pharmacists but also helped to create acceptance that pharmacists should be paid for this service. Through different outreach channels, including a campaign newspaper, posters and billboards, radio spots and social media content, the campaign reached a broad audience and helped ease public anger over the practice and costs of first-time dispensing counselling. “The work we pharmacists do remains largely invisible to the eyes of patients, policy makers and even other health care professionals,” said Mr Gerben Klein Nulent, chairman of the Royal Dutch Pharmacists Association. “It is imperative that we continue to show the positive impact pharmacists have in the health care system.”

Source: FIP

Sierra Leone begins cholera vaccination drive in disaster-affected areas

Admin

19/09/2017

More than 1 million doses of Gavi-funded cholera vaccines heading to Sierra Leone after severe flooding and landslides.

Half a million people in Sierra Leone will be able to access the life-saving cholera vaccine within weeks, the country’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation announced on Tuesday.

The vaccines will be received from the Gavi-funded global stockpile and will target areas particularly affected by August’s floods and deadly landslide, which resulted in over 500 confirmed deaths. Hundreds more people were reported missing in the wake of the disaster, according to the Office of National Security, while thousands were displaced from their homes.

“Cholera is a devastating disease which spreads quickly and kills fast, and risks can increase after severe flooding,” said Dr. Brima Kargbo, Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. “The oral cholera vaccine is an important tool to better protect the country and affected communities against the disease, which will ultimately save lives.”

Two rounds of vaccination are planned to run from September and will be delivered in 25 affected communities by the Government of Sierra Leone with support from Gavi Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the UK Government and other health partners.

“The devastating floods and landslides which ravaged Sierra Leone throughout August have left the country dangerously vulnerable to water-borne disease outbreaks,” said Dr. Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi Alliance. “Access to safe water and sanitation is limited, and the public health system, still recovering after the 2014 Ebola outbreak, is stretched. These lifesaving vaccines, alongside urgent support to improve safe water and sanitation, have the potential to prevent a cholera outbreak before it has the chance to bring more misery to a country that has already suffered enough.”

The decision to send cholera vaccines from the global stockpile was taken quickly on 31th August by the International Coordinating Group (ICG) for Vaccine Provision following the deployment of a WHO specialist to the country. The full quantity of the vaccine (1,036,300 doses for two rounds) is set to arrive in Freetown on 7th September through UNICEF’s global Supply Division.

WHO recommends that vaccination against cholera be considered in emergencies and other high-risk scenarios where there are increased threats of outbreaks, when combined with standard prevention and control measures for the disease. These measures include readiness to provide adequate testing and treatment, steps to ensure access to safe water and sanitation, and community mobilization to engage the public in preventing infection.

Sierra Leone’s last major cholera outbreak, in 2012, killed 392 people and infected more than 25,000 others.

Gavi, WHO, UNICEF and partners are working with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to help plan and implement the campaign, which will make the vaccine available free-of-cost to disaster-affected populations, while supporting ongoing cholera prevention and preparedness.

Source: WHO

Malaria Vaccines Market to Surge past US$ 591.8 Million by 2024

Admin

18/09/2017

The Global Malaria Vaccines Market is pegged to be valued at US$ 8.5 million in 2018 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 102.8% during the forecast period (2018-2024), as highlighted in a new report published by Coherent Market Insights. Rise in demand for vaccines for important indications on the backdrop of increasing focus on biological preparations is expected to be a major factor driving growth of the global malaria vaccines market over the foreseeable future.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) malaria fact sheet and World Bank estimates, over 40% of the global population is at risk of malaria. World Health Organization (WHO), there were around 214 million malaria cases reported in 2015, leading to 438,000 deaths worldwide. Over 70% of these deaths were among children under 5 years of age. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for the highest share of global malaria burden, with around 89% of malaria cases and 91% of malarial deaths in 2015. Such high impact of this life-threatening disease is influencing governments across various countries, companies, investors, and non-profit organizations to contribute towards curbing spreading of this disease. Since the problem of malaria is burdening many of the emerging and under developed regions such as in Africa and Asia Pacific, various initiatives have been implemented in these regions to drive down high costs of the vaccine in development. For instance, in 2016, GSK announced plans to develop vaccines at a mere profit margin of 5% of the cost of the vaccine. Governments across most regions are actively involved in programs aimed at eliminating malaria. For instance, WHO had mobilized funding for pilot program in first phase between 2017 and 2020 by the global fund to fight against malaria and other disease such as AIDS and tuberculosis prevalent worldwide.

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Shift from pharmaceutical oral dosage forms to parenteral dosage forms is expected to boost the malaria vaccines market globally. The emerging economies are undergoing a wave of various healthcare reforms. Healthcare treatment regimens are becoming more reliable for the growth of the global market, with various initiatives in place to eradicate the menace of malaria. In 2016, in India, the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) was launched to eliminate the problem in the country. This program was based on the Framework by the National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. According to NFME, in 2012, the total economic burden of malaria in India was around US$ 1,940 Mn, with 75% from lost earnings and 25% from treatment costs borne by households.

According to World Malaria Report 2015, India accounts for around 70% of the total malaria incidence rate in the South-East Asia. In 2014, the incidence rate of malaria in the country was around 0.89 per 1,000 people at risk per year. Around 1.1 Mn cases were reported, which lead to 562 deaths in India in 2014.

Key takeaways of the malaria vaccines market

The global malaria vaccines market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 102.8% during the forecast period (2016–2024) as there exists a large unrealized market especially in Africa, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East.The Pre-Erythrocytic Vaccine dominates the market in the vaccines type segment, as it is used to prevent the infection completely, while blood-stage vaccines aim to reduce or eliminate the parasite load once a person is infected

Plasmodium Falciparum is the major agent segment of malaria vaccines market, as Plasmodium falciparum infection are induced by the asexual stages of the parasite that develop inside red blood cells, making it one of most severe forms of malaria among various types of parasites causing malaria

Some of the major players involved in global malaria vaccines market are GlaxoSmithKline plc, Sanaria Inc, Nobelpharma Co., Ltd., Sumaya Biotech and GenVec, Inc.

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FIP Tasks Pharmacists on Involvement in Disasters Management

Admin

15/09/2017

Pharmacists have an ethical duty to accept responsibility, as health care professionals, for providing aid to others in disaster situations, and this means having plans in place to respond appropriately in the event of a natural or man-made disaster and to limit its impact, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) says in a new Statement of Policy released to the press.

“There has been an increasingly large number of natural disasters over the past 10 years. Just last month we’ve had a large typhoon in Hong Kong, a monsoon in Bangladesh, and Hurricane Harvey in the US, followed by devastating floods and many lives lost. With global warming, such events are predicted not only to become more frequent but to increase in severity, and we pharmacists need to be prepared. It’s no good waiting until something happens to sort out how you’re going to manage. Our patients will need us to provide their medicines and give advice in what will be a very stressful situation,” said Mrs Jane Dawson, secretary of FIP’s Military and Emergency Pharmacy Section.

The new statement, “Role of the pharmacist in disaster management”, also recommends that all pharmacists’ workplaces have a risk assessment and management plan so that the effect on pharmacy services delivery during a disaster is minimised. It follows the release, in July 2016, of FIP’s international guidelines — “Responding to disasters: Guidelines for pharmacy” — that detail actions for different stakeholders, including government and hospital and community pharmacy, to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from a natural disaster.

“Governments need to consider the law and standards — do they have emergency provisions — pharmacy organisations should be advocates for and support members in emergency planning, the supply chains and distributors need to plan how to deliver when disaster strikes and, most importantly, all pharmacists need to recognise that they should prepare in advance so they can cope in an emergency situation,” Mrs Dawson said.

She added: “FIP’s responding to disaster guidelines were developed based on the experiences of pharmacists who have provided services during previous emergencies. In this new statement, FIP makes clear that our profession must be prepared and can use FIP’s guidelines to help them to do so.”

Pharmacy Contribution to Healthcare Is Beyond Dispensing-FIP Global Report

Admin

14/09/2017

A number of advanced community pharmacy services are offered in more than 50% of countries and territories, which cover over three-quarters of the world’s population, according to a new publication launched Thursday by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) at the World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The document, “Pharmacy at a glance: 2015–-2017”, is a publicly accessible summary of the latest detailed survey that FIP conducts every two years. The full results are available to its member organisations.

The survey, of 79 countries and territories, found medicines use review services to be available in 68%, disease management programmes (e.g., for diabetes, hypertension or asthma) available in at least 47%, and the measuring of clinical parameters (blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass index) in 62%. However, the report’s author Mr Gonçalo Sousa Pinto says only 12% of these services were found to be covered by health insurance (public or private), meaning that their costs are largely borne by the pharmacy or the patient, or both.

Nigerian Pharmacists at the Nigerian House in Seoul

The study is an authoritative source of information on the state of the pharmacy profession at the global level, giving an overview of topics ranging from the distribution of pharmacists in different sectors and access to pharmacies, to models of generic medicines dispensing/substitution and the availability of medicines online. The report summary, which presents the data in eight infographics, also includes a section on hospital pharmacy regulation and professional services.

L-R: Acting Ambassador, Mr Lazarus I. Kpasaba at Seoul, South Korea; PSN President, Ahmed Yakasai, and PCN Registrar, Pharm. NAE Mohammed during a courtsey visit to the Nigerian House in Seoul, South Korea

“This report provides a snapshot of how the profession is practised, regulated and remunerated, what the global pharmacy workforce is, and how medicines are distributed to patients worldwide. It identifies emerging challenges and opportunities, and empowers FIP member organisations to advocate for improved health outcomes through pharmacists,” Mr Sousa Pinto said.

He added: “This study provides evidence of the multiple contributions of pharmacists to the efficiency and sustainability of health care systems and to improving health. It stands as proof of the commitment of pharmacists as a vital and engaged health care profession.”

Nationwide Strike Looms in the Health Sector

Admin

13/09/2017

Beginning from Wednesday 20, 2017, the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU has directed its members to commence industrial action to press home their grievances against the government.

The group, which tagged its proposed strike ‘Operation Alligator Bite’, disclosed the bone of contention as the unfair treatment to them by the government.

The group, in a letter titled, “Looming Nationwide Industrial Action: Request for Audience,” and signed by its National Chairman, Joy Josiah, and the National Secretary, Ekpebor Florence, also demanded an audience with President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

JOHESU Recall that resident doctors had equally embarked on nationwide strike over the federal government’s failure to equally meet its demands. Although the federal government has been trying to reach an agreement with the doctors to return to their hospitals, the strike embarked upon by the resident doctors has adversely affected, especially, patients at various hospitals very negatively. Patients had cried out to the government, pleading that the demands of the doctors be met so that they can resume duties and treat them of their ailments.

How to Prevent Kidney Stones

Temitope Obayendo

13/09/2017

Kidney stones are small, hard deposits that form in the kidneys when there is a decrease in urine or an increase in certain substances, such as minerals and salts.

It has been observed that condition can occur in persons of any age, but is commoner in individuals aged 25-50, and within this age bracket, the risk increases with advancing age.

Twenty to fifty percent of these deaths due to kidney failure in developed countries have been associated with kidney stones, and individual as well as environmental factors considered to be responsible for the morbidity and mortality statistics associated with stone related cases of end stage renal failure.

Going forward, kidney stone diet has been designed to help prevent kidney stones from forming or recurring, in people with higher risk of the disease. According to a MedicalNewsToday report, the list of the foods that form the kidney stone diet can be found below.

Foods that may prevent kidney stones

Because kidney stones vary according to what they are made of, the foods to include in a diet will vary. A discussion with your healthcare giver will help better. The foods include:

Calcium and oxalate-rich foods

Milk based products.

Samples of foods to include are:

milk-based products

calcium fortified foods, such as cereal, bread, and juices

beets on a spinach salad with low-fat cheese

yogurt with berries

Fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are a necessary part of any diet. Increasing the amount of vegetables in their diet can help a person prevent stone formation. Fruits can be dried, frozen, or fresh. Fruits rich in citric acid have also been shown to have a positive effect in preventing kidneys stones. Get to know the particular fruits and veggies that have high oxalate content and try to limit them, or be sure to eat them in combination with calcium-rich foods.

Water

Including extra water in the diet can help prevent the formation of both uric acid and cystine stones. Including other liquids in addition to water is acceptable; however, it is important to check sodium levels in the beverage.

Plant-based protein

Small amounts of animal-based proteins are fine. However, too much animal protein can increase the risk of developing kidney stones. Plant-based protein sources, however, are encouraged. Examples include beans, peas, and lentils. People should discuss their individual protein needs with a doctor or a dietitian, as needs will vary from person to person.

Foods to limit with kidney stones

However, to be on a safe side, experts have advised that it is better to limit such foods as containing:

Sodium, animal proteins, including eggs, fish, pork, beef, and milk products.

Top Five Ways to Get Adequate Night Sleep

Admin

13/09/2017

Getting enough night sleep has been a challenge for many people, but its merits cannot be overemphasised as it plays a significant role in your health and well-being as well as protecting your physical health, mental health, quality of life, and safety.

Experts have also listed some benefits of sufficient sleep to include: improves learning, keeps you alert, helps you to make decisions, helps to maintain heart health and hormone balance, and protects your immune system.

Considering the importance of observing adequate sleep, it is imperative to discuss easy ways of achieving it, in order to assist those experiencing insomnia .Below are top five tips to get good restful night sleep, as reported on MedicalNewsToday:

Stick to a Sleep Schedule

Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day – even on the weekends.Recent research has shown that sleep regularity is associated with higher levels of morning and evening happiness, healthiness, and calmness during the week, while irregular sleeping patterns are linked to poorer academic performance, delayed sleep and wake timings, and a delay in the release of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin.If you struggle with sleep, try sticking to the same sleep routine and you may find that after a while, you may no longer need an alarm.

Increase Exposure to Daylight

Taking a stroll outside in daylight for at least 30 minutes each day has been advised to have sufficient sleep. Exposure to electrical lighting has been shown to delay our internal clocks by around 2 hours. Scientists have recently discovered that the solution to resetting our clocks and resolving our sleeping woes could be as easy as spending more time outdoors in the sunlight.

Decrease Exposure to Blue Light at Night

Sunlight is the largest source of blue light. Blue light regulates our circadian rhythms, which tell us when to sleep, and boosts alertness. Blue light from sunlight can benefit sleep, but blue light is also found in most LED-based devices, which can harm your sleep.

Limiting use of digital devices close to bed time may help to reduce sleep-disrupting blue light exposure.

It is no secret that most of us have snuggled up with our smartphone or digital tablet, or watched television from the comfort of our beds at some point. These habits that we have so quickly developed could be heavily contributing to our inability to sleep properly. Research has indicated that blue light emitted from digital devices could increase the risk of sleep complications.

Up Your Physical Activity and Diet quality

Regular exercise could significantly improve your sleep quality. Getting out the door for your 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity per week not only gives you a post-workout glow, but it has also been found to improve sleep quality by a staggering 65 percent.

Practice Mindfulness-Based Meditation

Mindfulness-based techniques may help you to manage your sleep issues.

Mindfulness meditation aims to increase mental focus, improve awareness of thoughts and experiences, and decrease stress, and so it can be a useful technique for managing sleep issues.

A growing body of evidence suggests that mindfulness helps to manage stress, anxiety, depression, weight loss, relationship difficulties, and productivity, and it has now been hailed as the latest tool to deal with sleep disturbance.

WHO Regions Show Progress in Pharmacy Workforce Development

Temitope Obayendo

12/09/2017

Indications emerging from the ongoing International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) in Seoul, South Korea, have showed that there is global complaint with the FIP’s 13 Pharmaceutical Workforce Development Goals (PWDGs) by all five World Health Organization (WHO) regions.

The FIP’s 13 PWDGs, which were developed in 2016, have received support from Twenty-one countries, though with varying degree of complaint, revealed a press release from the conference. The report which disclosed this advancement was titled: “Research, development and evaluation strategies for pharmaceutical education and workforce: A global report” was launched today at the World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The statement noted that case studies from the following countries can be found in the publication: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Great Britain, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Namibia, Paraguay, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, UAE, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The document, intended as a tool for FIP member organisations to support the adoption of the PWDGs, contains evidence-based expert recommendations, such as on strategies for advancing the workforce agenda.

It also highlights that global engagement is needed to make research, development and evaluation strategies the critical next step in workforce development. In particular, it promotes more routine use of technology-driven education and discusses better ways of evaluating this.

The Congress assured pharmacists of better global progress in pharmacy workforce: “This publication is a starting point for a global discussion on how to achieve progress on workforce development goals through evidence, evaluation and progressive policy planning. FIP encourages global leaders in professional education research, in addition to leadership bodies and universities, to contribute to the process of identifying a global agenda for workforce development,” said Professor Ian Bates, FIP Education development team director.”

4th Nigerian Manufacturers Expo 2017 (Latest Update)

Admin

11/09/2017

Embrace Satellite Pharmacy Initiative, PCN Registrar Tells Pharmacists

11/09/2017

Registrar of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharm. Elijah Mohammed, has charged community pharmacists in the country to embrace the satellite pharmacy concept, describing it as the best for the country, in light of its guarantee of universal access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medicines in underserved communities.

Mohammed, who was represented by Pharm. (Mrs) Emily Olalere, zonal director, PCN, gave the charge during the opening ceremony of the 36th Annual National Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), held at Eliel Centre Limited, Jos, Plateau State, recently.

Speaking at the event, Mohammed noted that the satellite pharmacy concept will, in the long run, not only help to strengthen the structure of drug distribution in the country but also improve and expand service delivery in both the urban and rural areas, as well as restore dignity to the pharmacy profession.

The PCN registrar further disclosed that the initiative will make pharmaceutical services available to underserved areas by putting community pharmacies at their doorsteps, adding that it will help ensure that patent medicines shops are made to offer better services by being overseen by pharmacists, which is a considerable departure from the current state of affairs.

According to him: “The concept has already received governing council’s backing as far back as 2015. So when fully operationalised, it will unlock the huge but untapped human capacity of pharmacists in areas of practice other than community pharmacy, as it has been observed that there is a large pool of pharmacists in academia, regulation, hospital, oil and gas and financial sectors that are not optimally engaged as pharmacists. Hence PCN has seen the need to engage such pharmacists through the satellite pharmacy concept. This approach will unleash both more pharmacists and more premises on the beneficiary communities.”Mohammed stated that under the satellite pharmacy system, an existing community pharmacy in the urban area can, for example, enter into an agreement with a pharmacist who is employed in the hospital or academia and open a satellite premises in an area where a full-time community pharmacist would ordinarily not have found profitable to operate from.

He added that such satellite premises will bear the name of the community pharmacy in the urban area, but the pharmacist who will run it will also have the chance of investing in it, while having the opportunity of practising there.

“It’s actually a sort of win-win situation as all that is needed is for them to have a workable memorandum of understanding (MOU),” he said.

Lamenting the challenge confronting Nigerians, especially in the area of access to pharmaceutical services, Mohammed disclosed that of the estimated 180 million people in the country, the distribution of pharmacies is acutely skewed in favour of urban areas like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, Onitsha, leaving smaller cities and the rural areas at a disadvantage.

“As at December 2016, Lagos State had 1,781, Jigawa State had nine, Zamfara State had five, and Katsina State had 11 premises. So, the satellite pharmacy system, when carefully put in place as planned, will improve overall access to quality pharmaceutical services when the various components work in synergy. At the end of the day, the government’s much-needed Universal Health Coverage (UHC) would be very much a reality,” Pharm. Mohammed explained.

Lagos NANNM Holds 2017 Nurses Week In Style

Admin

11/09/2017

Ahead of the forth coming Annual Nurses Week and Scientific Conference of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Lagos State Chapter, the association is set to build nurses capacity towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) .

Themed- Nurses: A Voice to Lead, Achieving the SDGs; the NANNM Week will run from 18th-22nd September 2017, at the Nurses Conference Hall, 19 Amaraolu Street, Central Business District Agidingbi Ikeja.

Top among the dignitaries to grace the occasion are: the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, as special guest of honour; the Keynote Speaker, Prof. J.O. Aina; Royal Father of the day, Oba of Aguda Town, Lagos, Oba Hakeem Agboosi Eweobaja 1; Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Olulade Olusegun; Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris; Chief Mrs. Folashade Ojo Tinubu, guest of honour, and others.

Some of the insightful sub-themes of the conference include: The nurse entrepreneur:securing life after retirement; update on nursing education reform in Nigeri; introduction of standard nursing language; essential new born care-role of nurses; exploring information technology toward quality nursing care: telemedicine information; reducing fetal and maternal mortality rate through effective management of pre-eclampsia and eclapsia, and others.

FIP Urges Governments, Insurers On Recognition of Self-Care

Admin

11/09/2017

The importance of the full involvement of pharmacists in self care should be promoted by governments and insurers, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) has said in its Statement of Policy “Pharmacy: Gateway to care”. This new statement, adopted by FIP’s Council yesterday, replaces the federation’s 1996 statement “Self care including self medication — The professional role of the pharmacist”. It calls for pharmacists to be fully incorporated into health systems both for the prevention and management of illness, and for them to be properly remunerated for delivery of their self-care services.

The new statement also makes a number of recommendations for pharmacy organisations and pharmacists, including that the former should ensure that rural communities have access to pharmacies, and that the latter should develop and adopt standard operating procedures for quality management of self-care services (such as proper documentation of medicines reconciliation, adherence support and medication management).

The statement follows the release in March 2017 of a 68-page report by FIP entitled “Pharmacy as a gateway to care: Helping people towards better health”. This report presents a collection of evidence of pharmacy services related to self-care and the value that pharmacists bring to health care systems in this respect.

“In an increasing number of countries, pharmacies are now seen as a formal point of entry to the primary health care system. Notable examples include a minor ailments scheme in Scotland and a triage scheme in Switzerland. But more recognition of the many benefits delivered by pharmacy self-care services is needed. Through this statement of policy, FIP also commits to support its member organisations to develop quality standards for these services in a national context and to continue to advocate this important aspect of health care,” said Mr Paul Sinclair, president of FIP’s Community Pharmacy Section.

Press Release

Atueyi, WAPCP Excos Task Fellows on Knowledge Application (VIDEO)

Temitope Obayendo

08/09/2017

For the justification of the resources and time spent in acquiring the Fellowship of the West African postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP), the Managing Director, Pharmanews Ltd. , Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi , has urged all Fellows of the College to put into practice, knowledge obtained from the institution for the betterment of the Nigerian populace.

The Pharmanews publisher made this remark on Friday, 08 September 2017, during a courtesy call of the Nigerian Chapter Executives of the WAPCP to Pharmanews office in Lagos. He stressed the need for the demonstration of such knowledge in the society, which will go a long way in impacting the society positively.

His words: “The application of knowledge is key, and the application of what you know is paramount, otherwise there is no where impact can be made from knowledge alone, as it can only be demonstrated in practice. Once knowledge is acquired, demonstration is imperative for the benefit of the people”.

He also agreed with the objective of the excos, in seeking Federal Government recognition for the Fellowship certificate, describing it as a well-thought-out, saying no matter how hard and engaging, the activities of the college may be, it still requires government endorsement. “That is why we need people in our profession to lobby govt for favourable policies, because no matter how much we work, we need government recognition as an instititution”.

Pharm. Atueyi however commended the leadership of the college for their selfless services to the institution, adding that though there may not be present reward, but greater reward is coming later.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Chapter, WAPCP, Pharm. Chijioke Onyia, intimated the Pharmanews team with the objectives of his administration seeking the elderly counsel of Pharm. Atueyi for the executives to follow.

Some of the goals listed by the chairman are: Push for the recognition of the Fellowship certificate by the Federal Government; stimulating interest of Fellows and increased participation; encouraging members to raise the standards in their various practice settings; increase brand equity of the college; review and publish chapter zonal bye-laws and distribution to members; secure and furnish an office space at the college.

Regarding members apathy to the college, which he described as a major challenge, he said the executives will critically and structurally design an interesting formula to drive participation, which will be of mutual benefit.

Oyo PSN Holds 2017 Pharmacy Week

Admin

06/09/2017

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Oyo State Branch is set to hold its 2017 Pharmacy Week, which promises lots of enlightenment and education for the participants on economic recovery.

Managing Director, Miraflash Pharmaceuticals, Pharm. Moses Oluwalade will be speaking on the theme: “Pharmaceutical Industry: Panacea to National Economic Recovery”, while the week will be celebrated from September 29-October 5, 2017, at the Daylan events &conference centre, Ijokodo, Sango, Eleyele road, Ibadan.

Activities lined up for the Week are: Prayers at the UI Mosque on Friday; Health walk and aerobics on Saturday; Thanksgiving Services at Winners Chapel, Ikolaba; Press Conference and Health Education for NURTW members on Tuesday; Opening Ceremony on Wednesday and Scientific session, exhibition, dinner/award night to round it up on Thursday.

Babalola Identifies Inaccessibility To Essential Medicines as Bane of African Healthcare

Temitope Obayendo

06/09/2017

Until the issue of inadequate access to essential medicines in Africa is tackled earnestly, there may be no end in sight to the perennial high mortality rate, as records have shown that the exorbitant prices of medicines have taken them out of the reach of the masses, especially the rural dwellers, the Director of Centre for Drug Discovery, Development and Production (CDDDP), Professor Chinedum Peace Babalola, has said.

Prof. Babalola, who made the submission at the International conference, organised by the Centre for Drug Discovery, Development and Production (CDDDP), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, recently, noted that it is high time stakeholders embarked on critical appraisal of the access to quality medicines in order to ensure better healthcare in Africa.

Some of the participants at the conference

Explaining the motives for the conference, she said issues of medicines inaccessibility, review of policies guiding access to medicine in Nigeria; challenges affecting access to essential medicines in Nigeria as well as promotion of easy access to quality medicines in Africa, will be thoroughly examined.

Presenting a paper titled: “A Critique of Relevant Laws Governing Medicine Regulatory in Nigeria”, the Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Board of Fellows, Barrister Chiedu Mordi, called for a review of obsolete regulations in pharmacy and medicine in the country.

While noting that medicines and pharmaceutical chemicals are prone to adulteration and misuse, Mordi, who is also a pharmacist, explained that it is imperative that laws and regulations be implemented to prevent medicine misuse and abuse, as well as to keep dispensation of drugs in order.

He highlighted various laws and acts that were promulgated over the years to regulate access to medicine in Nigeria to include: Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Act of 1982; Poisons and Pharmacy Laws; National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Act; as well as Counterfeit and Adulterated Drug Act.

To bridge the gap in availability and affordability of essential drugs,the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole mentioned the need to mobilise local manufacturers of medicines for more production, as this as has been one of his major focus since his assumption in office.

The Health Minister who spoke through his representative, the Director of Food and Drugs, Ministry of Health, Mrs Gloria Modupe, commended CDDDP, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan for organising the conference which he described as timely and important.

The conference, which witnessed a massive turnout of participants, was graced by notable personalities, among whom are: The Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof Abel Idowu Olayinka, ably represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Prof Olanike Adeyemo; the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, represented by the Director of Food and Drugs in the Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Modupe Gloria Chukuma; the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Prof. Oluwatoyin Odeku; the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Anthony Elujoba, a professor of Pharmacy; Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital (UCH), Professor Temitope Alonge, and others.

PSA Screening Can Reduce Prostate Cancer Death Risk

Admin

06/09/2017

Contrary to early opinions opposing Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screening, a new review has revealed that PSA screening has potentials to reduce considerable the risk of death from prostate cancer.

The findings published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reported on DailyMailOnline opposed current guidelines from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), which advised against PSA screening for prostate cancer due to lack of evidence that it lowers the risk of death from the disease.

The review, led by Ruth Etzioni, Ph.D., of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA – suggested that guidelines for PSA screening may need to be reviewed.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the world, Nigeria inclusive, after skin cancer. This year, it is estimated that around 161,360 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the USA, while Nigerian men have been presenting late for diagnosis and treatment. Men ageds 65 and older are at greatest risk for prostate cancer, and the average age of diagnosis is 66 years.

PSA screening for prostate cancer

The PSA test is one of the predominant tests used to diagnose prostate cancer. It assesses levels of prostate-specific antigen in the blood, which is a protein produced by cells in the prostate gland.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) state that the majority of men without prostate cancer will have a PSA level under 4 nanograms per milliliter. Men with a PSA level of between 4 and 10 nanograms per milliliter have a 1 in 4 chance of having prostate cancer, while a PSA level over 10 is associated with a 50 percent chance of developing the disease.

However, there are many other factors that can influence a man’s PSA levels, including urinary tract infections and certain medications. As such, research has indicated that PSA tests run the risk of yielding false-positive results for prostate cancer, which may put men through unnecessary stress and treatment.

16th Law: He Who Doesn’t Buy Today Can Buy Tomorrow

George Emetuche

05/09/2017

Unbreakable Laws of Sales

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. – Edison

You have all it takes to win

Why do you want to give up? Why would you give up just like that? Have you done your best? Is your best good enough? You just have to stay longer with that challenge. You just have to find a way to fight on. You must attack your challenger head-on! You must persist in the face of tough situations. Champions are not just made; it takes a battle to determine one. Persist and be celebrated.

Persist, succeed

Persistence is one of the greatest qualities of a successful salesman. Persistence is the attitude that encourages a salesman to keep visiting a prospect until something good happens. Attaining success in life is a function of a series of little efforts. The path to success is a continuous journey that requires determination but many folks won’t go through that path. It is always common to follow the easy route.

The temptation to throw in the proverbial towel is a common one and no one is exempted. A lot of people will give up when challenges come. A lot of folks will not endure to pay the price for the prize. It is natural that most individuals will quit making efforts in a task once they notice any form of intricacy.

You are called to fight on. Giving up is never an option. If you fail the first time, try again.

Price of success

Success has a price. It takes a lot to be a champion. There must be a contest before a winner emerges. A fight will take place before a champion is announced. This is the natural sequence to the top, and it applies in the selling environment too. There has to be a process before sales will take place.

Several researches have shown that most prospects will not buy at the first visit. They will require the salesman to visit again and again before making their buying decisions.

During this waiting period, the prospect takes his time to look at the offer once more. It’s a period of appraisal. The buyer examines the offer to ensure he is getting the best deal. He examines the salesman’s proposal and takes the decision to buy or not to buy. Your duty here is to be professional. Do your best and wait for the prospect to make the buying decision. Never be desperate to sell.

Quitting too soon hinders success

Quitting too soon does not make champions. It does not bring the desired outcome. The art of selling is one of the toughest career paths in the world. Yes, selling is not a tea party! It is a career where a lot is expected of the salesman. His employers expect him to deliver results, and his customers and prospects want to see the best in him . They buy from him when they are convinced he is the best option.

The salesman also has his personal goals and challenges. His family expects him to be a superman at home; setting targets and achieving extraordinary results! Quitting is not a good option. The salesman must find a way to get things done.

Selling can Be tough And fun!

The situation can be tough for the salesman and yet fun at the same time. It is tough when he chooses to see only the difficult part of the challenge and fun when he takes charge and decides to fix stuffs! It depends on the divide you want to belong.

For me, I see sales, selling and salesmanship as fun! I believe I must set out daily to do things differently in order to get results. I believe that stories are not allowed in the world of sales; we are not storytellers. I believe I don’t have to sing the problem as a tune every day. I believe I must find a way to make things work. I believe I have the powers to create the world I desire.

Therefore, I developed the mindset that says, ‘move on George, get things done and be celebrated because no one celebrates excuses; no one wins a crown by giving excuses!’

Successful selling is a summation of the number of times you were turned down. It is the number of times you were asked to come again and you kept going back without giving up. Successful selling is persistence.

Successful salesmen believe that a buyer, who turns you down today, could change his mind next time to embrace your offer.

2017 NAPPSA Annual Confab Holds in Texas

Admin

05/09/2017

The 2017 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA) is to be held 21 – 24 September, 2017, at The Westin Houston, Memorial City, Houston, Texas.

Themed “Advancing Pharmaceutical Care and Wellness in a Changing Economy”, organisers of the event have assured participants of exposure to current advances in pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical education, drug discovery, development, regulatory and safe utilisation.

Speakers at the event are Professor Maurice Iwu, president and chief executive officer, Bioresources Development Group (BDG); Professor Olusola Adeyeye, Senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria; Professor Isa Odidi, founder and chairman, IntelliPharmaceutics, Canada and Dr Oluyinka Olutoye, Professor of Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Baylor College of Medicine Houston Texas.

In addition to distinctive networking opportunity with colleagues and friends, NAPPSA Conference is designed to provide pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists with timely information and resources to enrich their career and practice.

A continuing pharmaceutical education programme of over 22 pharmacy credit hours, covering different areas of pharmaceutical profession, including pharmaceutical care, funding for pharmaceutical projects, mentoring sessions, and Deans Workshop will be offered.

Pharmacy Practice Goes Beyond Being Called a Pharmacist – Onyechi

04/09/2017

For pharmacists to make meaningful contributions to nation building, they must fully understand and uphold the responsibilities attached to their professional calling, says eminent pharmacist and entrepreneur, Pharm. (Sir) Ike Onyechi, founder and managing director, Alpha Pharmacy and Stores Limited and national president, Christian Pharmacists Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN).

Sir Onyechi, a Fellow of both the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP) said this while delivering a keynote address on the topic, “The Community Pharmacist’s Role in Nation Building: The Past, Present and Future”, at the opening ceremony of the 36th Annual National Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), held recently in Jos, Plateau State.

Pharm. Onyechi, an Alumnus of Lagos Business School, stated that the “community pharmacist” designation is small, compared to the enormous responsibility the profession confers on the practitioners, which can only be performed by those who are dedicated to it.

Citing the postulation of a group of scholars, Onyechi defined nation building as an effort to build institutions and practices that allow a people to govern themselves in peaceful and prosperous ways, adding that nation building principles include partners, process, problem solving, purpose and people.

He further noted that for community pharmacists to contribute to nation building, they must start preparing for tomorrow from today by striving to perform the roles of an eight-star pharmacist, who, according to him, is a caregiver, leader, decision-maker, communicator, lifelong-learner, teacher, care manager and researcher.

“As an eight-star professional, a pharmacist must be a medication expert; he must be able to think analytically, clearly and critically; he must be able to effectively use information, assume leadership role and demonstrate compassion and empathy in his role.

“Also, an eight-star pharmacist must be able to effectively manage resources and information to optimise patient care; must be responsible to assist with the education and training of the future generations of pharmacists; and also must possess a sense of unity with colleagues, among others,” he said.

According to him, the advancement of a profession is predicated on the number of societal problems it is able to solve and the degree of value it is able to add to the society, stressing that this also applies to a business, as it must be beneficial to its customers for it to thrive.

“By solving people’s health problems, pharmacists created a profession that improves man’s quality of life and adds value to other healthcare practitioners”, Onyechi said, adding that, “to know if you are truly contributing to nation building, you need to ask yourself: What position am I occupying in the eight-star parade? What value am I adding to my community, how much influence do I wield as a leader? How much problem have I solved? Who am I grooming and what will I like to be remembered for if I have only one more year to live?”

On the present trend in pharmacy practice, Onyechi disclosed that pharmaceutical care is now patient-centered, outcomes-oriented practice that requires the pharmacist to work in concert with the patient and the other healthcare providers to promote health, to prevent disease, and to assess, monitor, initiate, and modify medication use to ensure that drug therapy regimens are safe and effective.

He added further that the goal of pharmaceutical care is to optimise the patient’s health-related quality of life, and achieve positive clinical outcomes, within realistic economic expenditures, adding that the responsibility of the present-day community pharmacist is now geared towards being an expert in pharmaceutical care pharmacotherapy and health promotion, a professional who communicates with patients, other healthcare providers and decision makers, to deliver high quality products, services and communication.

“Responsibilities also include cross-checking and dispensing of prescription drugs, providing advice on drug selection and usage to doctors and other healthcare professionals and counselling patients in health promotion, disease prevention and proper use of medicines. Pharmacies also now offer the extended role that provides more clinical roles to patients as part of a primary healthcare team,” he said.

Pharm. Onyechi also urged the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), PSN to lead efforts in ensuring that pharmacists are collaborating with other healthcare professionals to improve the quality of healthcare, noting that as medicine has expanded to include so many specialisations, so also should pharmacy and other health professions.

Prof. Ernest Izevbigie: The Grandmaster of Phytochemotheraphy

Solomon Ojigbo

01/09/2017

About 600 years ago, the Swiss physician and alchemist Paracelsus stated that all that man needs for health and healing has been provided by God in nature, and the challenge of science is to find it. Indeed, to Paracelsus, who was one of the most influential medical scientists of the German renaissance, as well other physicians of early modern Europe, for every disease affecting mankind, there is a plant out there for its treatment.

Today, even with the incredible medical breakthroughs achieved with gene therapy and recombinant DNA technology, many medical scientists still look into nature to find cures for many diseases affecting man. One of such is Professor Ernest Izevbigie, current vice chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, and former professor of Cell Biology and Biochemistry at Jackson State University, Mississippi, USA.

The globally acclaimed researcher and inventor is among the very few African scholars who have been admitted as Fellows of the United States National Academy of Inventors (NAI) for his ground-breaking research on the use of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) a popular Nigeria herbal shrub for cancer phyto-chemotherapy. The NAI Fellow status is a professional distinction accorded to academic inventors having patents issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) who have demonstrated a highly prolific spirit of innovation, in creating and facilitating outstanding inventions that have enhanced the quality of life, economic development and welfare of the society.

Professor Izevbigie has to his credit 6 USPTO patents including a formula he created from Vernonia amydalina which is potent in the management of diabetes, prostate enlargement in men and breast cancer in women. He has also registered three pharmacological formulations called Edotides in Nigeria with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

In all, his patents include:

Phytochemotherapy for Cancer. US Patent no: 6,894,604 (2005)

Method of measuring cAMP extracellularly. US Patent no: 20020022220 (2002)

Method of cAMP production, US Patent no: 6541196

Phytochemotherapy for Cancer. US Patent no: 20040137095 (2004)

Phytochemotherapy for Cancer. US Patent no: 20020155184 (2002)

Phytochemotherapy for Cancer. US Patent no: 6,713,098 (2004)

Prof. Izevbigie’s research led to the formation of the Jackson State University initiated company called EdoBotanics. The company uses modern technology to extract, process and standardise compounds from bitter leaf to produce the nutritional supplement called edoTIDEplus that promotes gastrointestinal, breast and prostate health. It is also potent in boosting the immune system and helps with the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. The product is in high demand in Europe and America because of its uncommon efficacy in the management of diabetes and cancer. The Nigerian government gave the company its approval to manufacture and sell the dietary capsules in the country in 2012.

Education and career

Professor Izevbigie was born into the Izevbigie family in Benin City, Edo State Nigeria. He completed his primary and secondary education in 1978. Four years later, he was in the United States of America (USA) for his tertiary education. He received his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science (with distinction) from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA in 1986 and a master’s degree from the same university in 1988.

After his master’s degree, Prof. Izevbigie worked as a research assistant, at the Cellular and Molecular Biology Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA from 1992 to 1996. He received his Ph.D. degree in Growth Biology/ Biochemistry from the same university in 1996. Thereafter, he pursued a post-doctoral training in cancer biology at the Laboratory of Molecular Signalling, Cellular Development and Oncology, National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. There, he developed a passion to apply modern scientific techniques to investigate the health benefits of some Nigerian herbs, especially the bitter leaf.

A natural passion

Interestingly, Prof. Izevbigie’s fascination with the bitter leaf did not start from his university days; it actually dates back to his childhood days. According to his recollections, he used to watch his grandmother who practised herbal/alternative medicine use bitter leaf to treat patients, with remarkable results.

After completing his post-doctoral training in 1999, Prof Izevbigie launched his academic career as an assistant professor of biology at Jackson State University, where he mentored undergraduates, masters and PhD students. His publications are in the area of Cell Biology, Biochemistry, and Pharmacognosy. He rose to the rank of a full professor at the university in 2008/2009.

In 2011, Professor Izevbegie was appointed deputy vice chancellor of Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Edo State, where he is now serving as the Vice Chancellor. Because of his enviable record and achievements, BIU became the first university in Africa to be admitted as a member of the prestigious National Academy of Inventors which has over 60 other universities worldwide.

Professor Izevbigie has received many awards and honours, including:

Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award in Agriculture (1985); Gamma Sigma Delta (Agriculture Honor Society) for Graduate Students (1994); Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society (1996) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Minority research supplement award.

New Drug Takes Years, Millions of Dollars to Develop – Gamaniel

01/09/2017

Prof. Karniyus Gamaniel, director general, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) has said that the production of a new medicine usually gulps about $802 million and often takes between 10 and 15 years to develop.

Gamaniel made this disclosure while delivering the keynote address for the 15th Annual National Conference and Scientific Meeting of the Nigeria Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA), held recently at the Sickle Cell Centre, Idi-Araba, Lagos, noting that pharmacists should invest more in research and development (R & D).

“The drug discovery and development process is not an easy one. It takes 10 to 15 years and $802 million to develop one new medicine. Let us think about how to develop our products locally and present to the authorities,” he declared.

Buttressing his point, Gamaniel said: “For instance, South Korea and Malaysia were once on the same level with Nigeria. Now they have left us behind. Today, the two countries have advanced far in R & D.”

The NIPRD boss noted that Nigeria has great potential to surpass these other countries, considering the successes recorded through previous laudable initiatives, such as Operation Feed the Nation (OFN), Green Revolution, Vision 2020, universities of technology and the recent trend – Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

“Why then are we not succeeding?” he asked. “It could only mean one thing – something is wrong! Today, we see the Association for Good Clinical Practice in Nigeria (AGCPN) lamenting about the high cost of drugs and scarcity of raw materials for pharma production in the country,” he noted.

Gamaniel, a renowned professor of Pharmacology with three United States patents in Phytomedicines, said that Nigeria as a nation can borrow a leaf from the ‘Malaysian concept.’

Explaining further, the professor recalled the case of Idris Jala, a Harvard University graduate, who was recalled from Shell Oil by the Malaysian president to salvage his country during the 2009 economic depression.

According Gamaniel, in accepting the offer, Jala was given a free hand to pick his team. Rather than adopt the conventional Broad Way policy (which entails external borrowing and bringing in foreign experts), he opted for the Narrow Way (which frowns at external interference and encourages use of local raw materials). Secondly, he selected a team comprising innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, marketers and a host of others whom he locked away in a standard laboratory for six weeks until a blueprint for the economic recovery was drawn up.

“This was how the Malaysian palm was revived and the government is still enjoying the royalties. I believe we can borrow a leaf from such initiative. This should be the focus of NAPA too,” he said.

As a way out, the NIPRID boss recommended that the Nigerian pharmaceutical sector should look beyond production of dosage form of new drugs, while also sourcing raw materials locally and going into production of more APIs, at least, for antimalarial.

Professor S.R.A Akinbo, deputy provost, College Of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), in his remarks agreed with Prof. Gamaniel’s proposition, disclosing that there was a time Asian academics and researchers used to visit Nigeria to look at the nation’s journals and publications.

“Subsequently, they would go back, replicate the ideas and patent them. We don’t want that anymore. People tend to use the term ‘publish or perish’ to encourage researchers. In our case, we have to ‘publish and flourish.’ That should be our focal point,” he canvassed.

Calling for collaboration, Prof. Boladale Silva, chairman of the occasion, said putting heads together is the key to getting to the destination.

This was also corroborated by Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, vice president, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm), who said the academy was pleased to be part of NAPA initiative.

Atueyi recalled that NAPharm held an inter-collaborative discussion early this year at the UNILAG conference hall, with about eight professional health bodies in attendance.

“That meeting was as a result of the NAPPSA conference held in Las Vegas to promote collaboration among healthcare professionals. In all of these, the patient is the ultimate beneficiary. After all, any of us can become a patient at any time,” he stated.

In attendance at the event were Dr. John Ayorinde, NAPA national chairman; Prof. Mbang Femi-Oyewo, dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU); Prof. Bolajoko Aina, dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, UNILAG; Prof. J. D. Adeyemi, dean, representative of UNILAG vice chancellor; Pharm. Gbolagade Iyiola, national secretary, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and Prof. Olukemi Odukoya, former dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, UNILAG.

Others were Dr. Arinola Joda, PSN national publicity secretary; Prof. Oluwatoyin Odeku, dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan (UI) and Pharm. Oluwatosin Adeyemi, academic staff, UNILAG faculty of pharmacy.

Meet Pharm. Offor

Admin

31/08/2017

Pharm. Ifeanyi Offor is a senior product manager at Mega Lifesciences. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Benin, Nigeria (2006), and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the same institution (2007).

A pharmamarketing professional with over six years experience in product management, Offor has proven track records of successful new product launches across various therapeutic segments. He is a self-motivated team player with a passion for planning, strategising and discovering simple and cost-effective ways of achieving excellent results.

Having won the ‘‘Best Final Year Project in Mental Health Pharmacy Practice” award by the United Kingdom Psychiatric Pharmacy Group (UKPPG) in 2007, he began his career at Central Hospital, Sapele, Delta State, where he worked as an intern and obtained valuable experience in pharmaceutical care services, under the supervision of a senior pharmacist.

Offor soon forged ahead to become a hospital pharmacist at Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. While there, he made very significant contributions to provision of quality pharmaceutical care services to hospital patients and healthcare professionals.

Dr Offor later moved from hospital pharmacy to community pharmacy in 2010, when he joined Pharma Affairs Ltd, Lagos, as pharmacy manager, responsible for the daily operations of the pharmacy. He made another leap from there to Ranbaxy Nigeria Ltd, where he worked for a considerable number of years before he finally moved to Mega LifeSciences Nigeria Ltd, as the product manager.

At Mega LifeSciences, he is responsible for planning, executing and coordinating the marketing activities/inputs of all assigned products (Gastro, Urology and Vitamin Supplements) to achieve set brand objectives; as well as developing and reporting greater insights into consumers / doctors / competitors’ behaviour that can add value to the marketing effort.

He also prepares product assessment modules for new launches, ensuring timely and successful launch of new products. He engages in developing the field force through training and mentorship; as well as building and strengthening relationship with the KOLs at the organisation.

A member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Offor has been variously honoured for his achievements. He was presented with the certificate of recognition for “Outstanding Contribution Towards the Achievement of 2011 and 2012 Business Goals” by Ranbaxy Nigeria Ltd. He also bagged the “Performer of the Month Award” at Ranbaxy Nigeria Ltd (March 2012).

Offor is happily married with children.

12 Leadership Thoughts for Troubled Times

Lere Baale

30/08/2017

As a leader, people and circumstances will occasionally break you down. But if you keep your mind focused, your heart open to possibility, and continue to put one foot in front of the other, you will be able to quickly recover the pieces, rebuild, and come back much stronger than you ever would have been otherwise. Here are a few leadership thoughts to ponder on those days when the whole world seems like it’s crashing down around you. Below are some LEADERSHIP INSPIRATIONS FOR EXCELLENCE:

Down days are completely normal, and not something you should feel guilty about having: Happiness is never constant. Surrendering to your sadness, or whatever negative emotion is trying to come to the surface, does not make you a bad person. But remember, if you aren’t sincerely thankful for every smile, don’t be totally shocked by every tear. Keep things in perspective.

When you are at your lowest point, you are open to the greatest positive change: Happiness is not the absence of problems, but the strength to deal with them. Strength doesn’t come from what you can do; it comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t do

There is a huge difference between giving up and moving on: Moving on doesn’t mean giving up, but rather accepting that there are some things that cannot be. Moving on can mean that you’re making a choice to be happy rather than hurt. For some folks, good situations last a lifetime, but for many, not knowing when to move on can hold them back forever.

Life rarely turns out exactly the way you want it to, but you still have an opportunity to make it great: You have to do what you can, with what you have, exactly where you are. It won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it in the end. Remember that there is no perfect life, just perfect moments. And it’s these moments you must cherish; it’s these moments that make the whole journey worthwhile.

Most people ask for happiness on condition, but long-term happiness can only be felt if you don’t set conditions.

Accept life unconditionally. Realise that life balances itself between the ideal and the disappointing. And the disappointments are just life’s way of saying, “I’ve got something better for you right around the corner.” So be patient, live life, accept what is, and have a little faith.

Too often, we carry around things from our past that hurt us

Regrets, shame, anger, pain, etc. Don’t let these negative points from the past rob your present happiness. You had to live though these things in the past, and al- though unfortunate, they can’t be changed. But if the only place they live today is in your mind, then let go, move on, and be happy.

Once you embrace unpleasant news not as a negative but as evidence of a need for positive change, you’re learning from it and growing.

Whatever life throws at you, even if it hurts, be strong and get through it. Remember, strong walls shake but never collapse. Life always offers you another chance – it’s called tomorrow.

When your flaws are stitched together with good intentions, your flaws make you beautiful.

It’s better to be true to yourself and risk being ridiculed by others, than to be false, and miss out on the beauty of being YOU. Never be bullied into silence. Never let someone else tell you who you are. Accept no one’s definition of your life, except your own.

You can choose to view things differently.

Pick one part of your life that you are unhappy with and look at it from a different point of view. See the rain as nourishment for future growth. Consider being alone for a while to create the solitude you need to hear your inner voice. Think of your lack of funds as an opportunity to experience the simple things in life. Right now, you can choose to allow the light to shine in your life. It is a choice. Why not allow it?

You have the ability to heal yourself.

Just like lava oozing slowly out of a volcano, you must create a healthy outlet for your pain and anger. It’s important after you’ve been hurt to take some time to think about your pain, and address it calmly and consciously, so you can thwart the possibility of more pain brewing from your own negativity.

There’s a lot of life left to be lived.

The real tragedy in life is not death, but the passion we let die inside of us while we still live. Remember, troubles from the past cannot define, defeat or destroy you all by themselves. As long as you keep pushing forward, they can only strengthen you.

You are a work in progress – which means you get there a little at a time, not all at once.

Today is a brand new day – a fresh start. Replace negativity with positivity. Think happy thoughts. Exercise. Drink lots of water. Fill your body with fuel. Healthy is happy. Inspire yourself. Create. Laugh. Play. Love. Learn. Give someone a compliment. Perform a random act of kindness. Take a chance on an idea you believe in. You have the opportunity to do these things every single day – to make the necessary changes and slowly become the person you want to be. You just have to decide to do it. Decide that today is the day. Say it: “This is going to be my day!”

Lere Baale is a Certified Strategy Consultant at Howes Consulting Group www.howesgroup.com and a Director of Business School Netherlands www.bsn.eu .

Hospital Pharmacists Enlighten Mushin Residents on Healthy Lifestyle

Temitope Obayendo

30/08/2017

Members of the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) Lagos State Branch have advised residents of Odi-Olowo in Mushin Local Government to embrace healthy lifestyle, as it helps prevent sudden death, frequent illnesses and premature ageing.

The pharmacists who converged at the Kajola Primary Healthcare Centre to mark the AHAPN Day for the 2017 Lagos Pharmacy Week, also conducted free medical screenings on hepatitis, blood glucose, and hypertension for the participants.

Educating the audience on the type of food to eat, Pharm. (Mrs) Margaret Obono, director of pharmaceutical services, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos, emphasised the need to always have a balanced diet, with a quarter of the meal being carbohydrate, another quarter being protein, and the remaining portion being fruits and vegetables.

She further explained the importance of water to the human body, describing it as the lubricant that keeps the system running. She encouraged the audience to take up to eight glasses of water per day, to prevent constipation and other conditions.

Obono also stressed the need to steer clear of alcohol, cigarette and drug abuse, as well as maintaining a very high standard of hygiene, through regular washing of hands with soap and water. She added that it is important to always ask the nearest pharmacist necessary questions about medicines.

The keynote speaker, Pharm. Joy I. Nwankwo, deputy director, Narcotics and Control Substances, NAFDAC, sensitised the audience on the roles of hospital and administrative pharmacists in the wellbeing of the nation, noting that a healthy nation is a wealthy one.

In her words: “Contributions of hospital and administrative pharmacists lie essentially in their impact on health and wellbeing, as well as the many factors that make good health possible. Health is wealth, thus to contribute to better health is to contribute to a better nation”.

While speaking on the paradigm shift in the practice of pharmacy, from drug-centred to patient-centred, she described pharmaceutical care as a patient-centred, outcome-oriented pharmacy practice that requires the pharmacists to work in concert with the patient and the patient’s other healthcare providers to promote health, prevent disease, and to assess, monitor, initiate and modify medication use to ensure that drug therapy regimes are safe and effective.

The State Chairman, AHAPN, Mrs Folashade Kotun, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to all that made the campaign a success, stating that the association almost cancelled the event, due to the sudden death of one of the members from Ekiti State who breathed his last in Lagos on the same day of the event.

After observing a minute silence for the deceased, she urged all present to always pay attention to their body symptoms, noting that the human system will normally give warning signs before total shutdown.

The 4th Nigeria Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Expo Commences

Admin

29/08/2017

It is time to explore untapped potential of Central & West African Pharma markets, as the fourth Nigeria Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Expo holds in Lagos, from 30 August to 1 September, 2017 at the Haven, Oba Akinjobi Street, Archbishop Church Compound, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

The Nigeria Pharma Manufacturers Expo 2017 is an opportunity for stakeholders in the health sector to exchange information, products, services and ideas towards achieving the Health related Millennium Development Goals and other developmental initiatives in Nigeria and West African region.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) is the umbrella body of local manufacturers of medicines and healthcare products in Nigeria with over one hundred members having established factories that manufacture live-saving essential medicines to support the Healthcare Delivery System.

The major target of the pharmaceutical manufacturers Group of MAN is to realize government objective of making our country self sufficient in essential medicines through local manufacturing of Drugs. The Group also focuses on export drive of locally manufactured quality medicines to the West African region.

NDDG: When Will the Postponements End?

Admin

29/08/2017

The recent announcement by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, that the implementation of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG), has been postponed to January 2019 has once again highlighted how difficult it is to implement progressive initiatives in the Nigerian nation.

The current postponement is the latest in a string of delays that have dogged the NDDG, since its introduction five years ago. When the federal government first published the document in 2012, its implementation was scheduled for July 2014. Soon after, it was shifted to 2015 to enable stakeholders involved in pharmaceutical distribution to put necessary machineries in place for its smooth implementation.

As it became obvious that the new date would no longer be feasible, the take-off was again postponed to 1 July, 2017 for the same reasons that it was earlier deferred. With that, it was expected that by the last day in the month of June, stakeholders would have done all that was necessary for the implementation to commence. However, and quite disappointingly, based on another round of consultations with stakeholders few days to the take-off date, the minister of health announced another postponement to January 2019, citing the need for stakeholders to have enough time to ensure physical development of Co-ordinated Wholesale Centres (CWC).

It is indeed worrisome that despite the promising potentialities of the NDDG in helping to sanitise the drug distribution system in the country, those responsible for the successful implementation continue to dillydally on it. Beyond helping to end chaotic drug distribution, the guidelines are also billed to facilitate audit trail of medicine in the health system and finally ensure the much desired closure of the open drug markets, an anomaly that should never have been allowed in the first place.

While the various reasons adduced for the repeated postponements may sound plausible, the endless rigmarole only reflects a culture of poor planning and disrespect for deadlines. This is one of the major reasons the nation as a whole continues to run in circles. There is indeed no denying the importance of ensuring that all stakeholders are on the same page in the implementation of the guidelines. However, we must hasten to add that this endless postponement, if not decisively halted, may eventually scuttle the transformative concept and the anomalies in the drug distribution system will persist for a long time to come.

The importance of ensuring that only genuine drugs are in the health system cannot be over-emphasised. With the NDDG, drugs in the system can be traced from the point of manufacture to when they get to the patient. The Nigerian government must therefore put a stop to this perpetual postponement of this laudable concept and implement the NDDG.

It is commendable that the health minister has declared that there will be no further extension of the deadline, but this must not end up as just another rhetoric from the Nigerian government. It is imperative for the government to do all that is necessary to match declarations with necessary actions, as enough time has been given for all the players to be ready. Shifting the goalpost again on NDDG implementation will only show lack of seriousness about the programme.

We must also urge stakeholders involved in physical development of the Co-ordinated Wholesale Centres (CWC) to expedite action on the projects. The fact is that all players involved in drug distribution can operate at different levels in the NDDG as conceptualised and still be appropriately supervised and monitored as necessary. Therefore, there should be no fear of being displaced from business by the present players in the pharmaceutical distribution business. All they need do is to play by the rules as codified in the NDDG.

It is in the interest of all Nigerians that implementation of the NDDG is given maximum support. The entire citizenry and the nation at large will benefit tremendously from the scheme now and in the future.

Maximising Your Time

Ifeanyi Atueyi

29/08/2017

Time is the most common gift of God to man. The same amount of time is given to everyone, irrespective of the racial, ethnic, cultural, social or economic differences. You can neither slow it down nor speed it up; but you can manage it. Think deeply on this. What you are today or whatever you will become in future depends on the use of your own time. How you manage your time is how you manage your life because time is life.

Your life can be a blessing or a curse depending, on how your time is managed. If you make an inventory of your life today – your resources, health, education, influence, achievements and so on – you are simply evaluating the use of your time. Many people make new year resolutions at the beginning of the year. What they do is just to define or re-define or prioritise the use of their time in the new year.

For example, if you have spent your Saturday mornings going through the newspapers and magazines, you could have also decided to convert the same time for physical exercises to improve your health. Or you may decide to use the time for writing the book you have been having in mind. If you are a teacher, you may invest the time on weekend teaching to make some money.

It has been said that time is money. People who do not appreciate the value of time tend to waste it. Time can be lost. If I set out time to read a useful book and a casual visitor steps in to tell me of how two colleagues conspired to steal their company’s bus. This distraction of some minutes is a loss of my reading time. I might have listened to a good story but not at the right time. In fact, money can be lost and recoved but it is not so with time.

Maximising your time

Time can be squandered. Think of that parable of the lost son in Luke 15. The Bible records that he squandered his portion of their father’s wealth allocated to him. That guy did not only squander his wealth; he also squandered his time and life. Although his compassionate father restored him materially, he could not restore the years he squandered on riotous living. Benjamin Franklin said, “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.”

Don’t allow people to steal your time. If you allow them, realise that you have allowed them to steal a portion your life. The Bible describes Satan as one who comes to steal, to kill and to destroy. But the truth is that those who can steal your time could be people close to you. They are your relations, friends and associates. They are those you want to help, please and associate with.

You must control distractions from your life’s set objectives. No person can please everybody. You need to focus on your destiny and maintain your course. You have your time and life to protect. And only you can do it. Identify your own values and establish your priorities. Remain focused.

Without self-discipline you cannot be the person God created you to be. The word ‘no’ is in your dictionary and it must be used when necessary. You must have the courage to say no to certain invitations from associations, friends and relations. Evaluate and prioritise them. You are not omnipresent.

Your time can be devalued as money. For some time now, the naira has been dropping in value when compared with the dollar. Our importers are lamenting the use large amount of naira to purchase goods in dollars. Do you know that in the same way, you can use a lot of your time to achieve just a little? My friend used to say, “I don’t know what I have done today.” Surely, this type of statement can bring frustration. My friend did not have a plan for the day. If he had, he did not document it. If he documented it, he did not prioritise and follow up the activities.

As you get older, decisions on time usage become more critical. The time you have to live gets shorter. Your energy gets depleted and cannot be easily renewed. Psalm 39:4 says, “O Lord, let me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am.”

You must be taking stock of your time and how it has so far been used. Within the time still available to you, what do you want start and complete? What do you want to leave behind? What do you want to be remembered for? Review of life plan then becomes a daily and not yearly routine.

Your review is aimed at leading you to a better usage of your time. What is important is the future. The past is gone and you cannot change whatever has happened. But you can control and determine the future by proper usage of your time today.

AHAPN Urges Commitment To Healthcare Goal

Temitope Obayendo

28/08/2017

The Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN) has called on healthcare workers to work assiduously towards achieving the triple healthcare delivery goals of increasing quality of care, reducing cost of care and making services available.

The association also solicited the support of government and other stakeholders in the healthcare sector towards facilitating change in clinical and business models of practice, while equally calling for better collaboration and team spirit among the various categories of healthcare professionals in the country.

The calls were made at the recently concluded 19th annual national conference of the association held at the Welcome Centre &Hotels, Airport Road, Ikeja, Lagos.

The conference, which was declared opened by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwumi Ambode, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Modele Osunkiyesi, had in attendance other dignitaries, including Professor Fola Tayo (conference chairman); Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN); Pharm N.A.E. Mohammed, registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN); HRH Oba Rilwan Osuolale Akiolu of Lagos, represented by two royal fathers; Dr (Mrs) Monsurat Oyenekan, commissioner 1, Lagos State Health Services Commission; Dr (Mrs) Tokunbo Oluwole, commissioner 2, Lagos State Health Services Commission; and Otunba Seun Oshinkoya, commissioner 3, Lagos State Health Services Commission.

The hospital pharmacists, in their resolution, lauded the satellite pharmacy initiative as enunciated by the PCN and strongly recommended its implementation.

Describing the concept as a sure catalyst for the provision of quality pharmaceutical products and services in underserved areas in Nigeria, the association noted that it will guarantee the realisation of the much talked about universal health coverage.

While delivering the keynote address, Pharm Emmanuel C. Abolo, dean, Rova College of Healthcare Executives, Abuja, charged pharmacists to make themselves relevant by creating value in the healthcare system, noting that value creation is not optional but mandatory for them.

Obolo who spoke on the theme, “Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists and National Development” emphasised the need for the delegates to upgrade their skills.

While noting that the healthcare system is going through a strategic inflection point, the Rova College boss warned that if hospital pharmacists do not improve on their practice, they may lose relevance in the system.

He further reminded the participants about the evolving nature of medicine and patient information, noting that the practice had moved from intuition medicine to empirical medicine and now precision medicine, and as such, pharmacists must also endeavour not to be left out of the evolution.

To stay abreast of advances in healthcare delivery, Abolo urged hospital pharmacists to think beyond boundaries, embrace a paradigm shift, re-imagine hospital and administrative practice and re-imagine healthcare.

Chairman of the occasion, Professor Fola Tayo explained the importance of lobbying in a democracy to the participants, noting that with nothing much gets done without lobbying.

“Stop crying and start lobbying”, he said

He however warned pharmacists against corruption while lobbying, assuring them of the availability of veterans like him for consultation and advice on getting ahead in their professional practice and aspirations.

Ikorodu Monarch, Ashafa, Others Laud Community Pharmacists at ACPN Day

28/08/2017

Community pharmacists are playing inispensable roles in disease prevention and management, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, has said.

Ashafa, who was chairman of the 2017 Community Pharmacists Day, held recently by the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos State Chapter, at Oba Ayangburen Palace, Ikorodu, Lagos, said community pharmacists are making invaluable contributions to effective medication use.

The senator who was represented by Dr Rotimi Adesanya, head of his medical team, commended the ACPN for its unrelenting efforts at bringing healthcare services closer to the people at the grassroots, saying the role and contributions of community pharmacists in healthcare delivery cannot be overemphasised.

Speaking further, Ashafa noted that the theme of the programme, “Building a Healthy Nation: Role of Community Pharmacists”, was timely, as the country’s vision of becoming one of the leading 20 economies of the world by the year 2020 is closely tied to the development of its human capital through the health sector.

Ashafa however lamented that while the government continues to work towards achieving globally acceptable standards, the health indicators in Nigeria have remained below internationally set benchmarks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He also bemoaned the alarming rate of drug abuse and misuse in the country, describing it as a threat to national development.

“Drugs like codeine, tramadol and others are being used as stimulants and narcotics by a large number of our youths. To this end, I sponsored a motion on the floor of the senate which was on ‘Involvement in Illicit and Global Drug Trade and Increase in Domestic Abuse by Nigerian Youths’ and a bill for the amendment of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act. These legislative interventions seek to ensure that we overcome drug abuse in Nigeria,”Ashafa said.

Echoing the views of Senator Ashafa on the role of community pharmacists, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, who was represented by Pharm. Bisi Omolara, described community pharmacists as the most accessible among healthcare providers, saying the practitioners play positive role and have great impact on health behaviours of all Nigerians.

Earlier in her address at the event, chairman, ACPN, Lagos State, Pharm. (Mrs) Abiola Paul-Ozieh, noted that the theme of the event was chosen to reflect the important role of community pharmacists in the society, adding that globally, community pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals, noting that the role of pharmacists has evolved from that of providers of medicine to that of providers of care.

Explaining the vital role of community pharmacists further, Paul-Ozieh told the audience that only healthy people that can be wealthy, as it is only healthy people that can offer services that will create wealth.

“As medication experts, it is our responsibility to help you avoid medication use errors and promote self-care, and we are also your partner in health and sickness because we offer products for both curative and preventive care,” she said.

The ACPN boss advised Ikorodu residents who thronged the venue in their numbers to patronise only registered pharmacies whenever there is need for them to access drugs, adding that they should look out for the Green Cross neon sign emblem of community pharmacy outlets, which she said is the only way to know a genuine and registered pharmacy.

In his appreciation message to the ACPN, the Oba of Ikorodu, HRM, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, who graced the event with his wife, thanked community pharmacists in the state on the good job they are doing and urged them not to relent in their efforts.

He also promised to ensure that the people of the community are continuously enlightened on the dangers associated with consumption of counterfeit drugs.

The highpoint of the event was the free counselling and screening of people at the event on health conditions like HIV, blood sugar, blood pressure, breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, dental check and tuberculosis.

Dignitaries at the event included Dr Albert Kelong Alkali, national chairman, ACPN, who was represented by Pharm. Bosede Idowu; Dr. Gbola Olayiwola, head, Dept of Clinical Pharmacy and Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, who was the Keynote Speaker; Dr. Owolabi Salu, medical director, Diphilab Vision Care and Optical Services, Ikorodu; ASP Olajide Olasunkanmi; ASP Mathias Amadi; Chief. Kaoli Olunsanya, the Ashipa of Ikorodu; Hon. Princess Folasade Olabanji, vice-chairman, Ikorodu Local Government; Hon. Ayodele Elesho, former commissioner for information, Lagos State; Pharm. Deji Osinoiki, chairman, Board of Trustees, Lagos State PSN; Pharm. Bola Adeniran, chairman, PSN, Lagos State and Dr. Femi Olaleye among others.

Pfizer, Sickle Cell Group Call for Government Support

Temitope Obayendo

28/08/2017

The conference organised by the Sickle cell Support Society of Nigeria (SCSSN) in collaboration with Pfizer Nigeria, came to a conclusive end on Friday with lots of sterling outcomes on the treatment, management and control of sickle cell disease in Nigeria.

The conference, held in Enugu State, drew participants, stakeholders, partners and sponsors from all walks of life. The theme of the conference: “Reducing the burden of Sickle cell disease in our communities” was anchored on raising awareness for Sickle cell disease(SCD) increasing the understanding of the disease among the communities health workers; to review the activities of the society with a view to hearing from SCSSN members who were on scholarship to pursue their post-graduate degrees in Brazil; to outline research and training priorities; update current level of knowledge about the different aspects of the pathophysiology and management of Sickle cell and to hold a meeting of the West African Sickle Cell Network, high Nigeria is a host country.

The 3-day conference kicked off with a pre- conference workshop with community health workers in the state. The keynote speaker, Professor of Hematology, Muhumbili University of Tanzania Lucio Luzzatto, shared the concern of stakeholders by calling on the Government to pass a bill on sickle cell control and management, for a better life insurance for people living with the sickle cell disease.

The Medical Director of Pfizer, Dr Kodjo Soroh, noted that the high death rate of Sickle cell disorder can be prevented through proper management and increased disease awareness programmes in rural areas. He stressed that Pfizer will continue to support activities on how policies can be improved to adequately impact on Sickle cell patients.

He said there is no way Government can better manage the situation without making policies that will guarantee treatment for people with the disease.

As a major sponsor for the 2017 SCSSN conference, Pfizer Nigeria expressed her commitment to partner with the Government and stakeholders that are willing to make feasible policies towards reducing the burden of Sickle cell in the country.

Cross section of participants at the high table

A Professor of Pediatric Hematology and Chaiman, Sickle Cell Support Society of Nigeria, Professor Adekunle Adekile has called on the Government to support the Sickle Cell Society in order to reduce the burden of the disease in the communities. He also identified poor leadership on the part of the Government as being responsible for the snail paced action against Sickle Cell in Nigeria and called on the National Assembly to revisit the Sickle Cell Act brought before the house four years ago with a view to passing it.

“The chunk of the problem lies on the Government because over the years, they have paid lip service to Sickle Cell Disease control and management. The Government should make policies on SCD a serious one so that life of patients can be insured. The National Assembly should revisit and possibly pass the Sickle Cell Act to ensure that people with the disease are covered”, he said.

According to Adekile, Sickle Cell is a disease that is common all over the world, particularly in Nigeria which has the largest burden with a total number of 1,500 children born every year with the disease. Adekile said that the problem of Sickle cell is pervasive and many of the patients live in the rural areas, pointing out that the care in the tertiary or secondary centres are not enough. He regretted that the Government has not paid adequate attention to tackling Sickle Cell Disease noting that the disease cannot be controlled until a comprehensive National policy for the Control and management of the patients is introduced

On her part, the Director, Corporate Affairs Pfizer for Sub-Saharan Africa, said the community networking is critical to achieving the aim of reducing the burden of Sickle Cell in our communities. She noted that Sickle Cell is not a death sentence even as she advised parents to always identify with organisations that are committed to tackling the scourge.

Also speaking during the conference, the Director, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centre in Ghana, Professor Kwaku Frempong said that most people who are born with Sickle Cell disease in Africa are not diagnosed and many of them die as children. He observed that Government are not aware of the impact of SCD on childhood mortality while noting that there is no country in the whole of Africa that has programmes for new born screening.

“Our Government must step up measures and provide some supplements so that people can be treated as the medical cost is usually beyond what people can manage”, he said.

The Marketing Officer of Assene-Laborex Limited, a subsidiary of Biomedomics, Pharm Santos Onuigbo, charged young people to know their genotype early enough before going into marriage, adding that the company is committed to ensuring that people get the awareness about their state and better treatment against the disease.

He maintained that the company is partnering with Non-Governmental Organizations to get maximum grassroots moblilisation against the disease.

A participant at the conference, Miss Grace Ocheigo, a student participant from Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU was all praise to SCSSN for another opportunity to interact and meet people that would have cost much to meet were it not for the meeting. The student participant said the student have a greater role to play in curbing the burden of the disease.

“I want stakeholders to use students in the campaign to reduce the burden of the disease in the country because they are more vibrant and are closer to SCD patients that are older people.

Young people relate more their problems to their peers and when these students are speaking it will have more effects because youths are naturally keen to listen to their mates on an issue. By so doing, they open up, the students will then know how to follow them up” she said. She appealed to the Government and the NGOs to make screening materials available to medical students so that they can be fully engaged in the process in as much as grassroots mobilisation is concerned. Other participants at the conference praised the meeting and said it gave them the opportunity to ask questions pertaining to clinical practice which were answered by seasoned practitioners. They also said the meeting enabled them to network and be involved in collaborative research into new trends in Sickle Cell disease.

Sickle Cell is a disease that is not as popular as malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS, but tons of babies born each year around the World inherit the disorder according to reports. The disease is got by inheriting two copies of a defective gene from each patient. In the process, the red blood cell gets collasped, forming crescent moon-like shapes, which make it difficult for oxygen to be transported to all parts of the body.

In an interview after the conference, the Vice-Chairman of SCSSN in Nigeria, Prof Obiageli Nnodu said that about 3.6 million Nigerians are affected by the Sickle cell disease which represents 2% of the country’s population. Professor Nnodu who is also a consultant Gynaecologist said apart from those directly affected, 25% of Nigerians are carrying the gene and therefore noted that there’s every need to tackle its prevalence. She said Sickle Cell Support Society of Nigeria is an umbrella body that brings together professionals, advocates, and other interested parties both within the country and in diaspora to tackle different aspects of Sickle Cell disease.

The Professor of Gynaecology said SCSSN has a special focus on the coordination of different groups, bodies and organisations working on Sickle Cell disease who hitherto done their programmes in an uncoordinated manner. The SCSSN Vice- Chairman called the Ministry of Education to include Sickle Cell education in the country’s schools curriculum, so that from primary level children would have the necessary knowledge about Sickle Cell disease and can as well educate their parents who are not exposed to such health problem. She said that since 2010 when the umbrella body came into operation the activities of groups and bodies working on Sickle Cell have received a boost through coordination.

According to her, “Before 2010 many people were working on Sickle Cell, they were individualised and uncoordinated but this umbrella body has brought everyone together for effective and coordinated work. We have achieved many goals within the period which include a handbook on Sickle Cell that is available in our website, but most importantly is the use of instant Sickle Cell kit which we subjected to clinical evaluation to ensure it is effective in finding the gene status of persons.

We have worked with the Federal Ministry of health to develop uniform guidelines and strategic planning for efficient delivery of Sickle Cell Programmes among others”. She said.

77th FIP World Congress slated for Seoul

Admin

27/08/2017

The 2017 FIP congress is scheduled to hold in Seoul, South Korea from 10 – 14 September 2017. Themed “Medicines and beyond! The soul of pharmacy”, the congress invites an international audience of pharmacy professionals and pharmaceutical scientists to go beyond medicines and answer patients’ demand for high quality help and advice. At this year’s congress, the professional symposia will explore the many new ways that pharmacy professionals can add the value expected by modern health care systems and services. Sessions will show that tradition and dedication to patients’ health – the true soul of pharmacy – can be coupled with innovation in technology, education and practice to deliver care for the 21st century.

ATM Day 2017: Prof. Iwu, Others, List Benefits of Food As Medicine

Temitope Obayendo

25/08/2017

The Hippocrates’ famous statement: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” was the central theme of discussion at the 2017 African Traditional Medicine (ATM) Day, as Professor Maurice Iwu, guest speaker; Archbishop M.A Atilade, President, Alternative Medicine Association of Nigeria, Professor Cecilia Igwilo, Sir. Ifeanyi Atueyi, managing director, Pharmanews Ltd, and others took turn to explain the health benefits of medicinal plants to the human system.

Prof. Iwu, who highlighted various aromatic foods and their offerings, like Okro, Bush mango, Vernonia Amygdalina, Garcinia kola, Ocimum, Tomato, Pawpaw, Ginger, Garlic, Cocoa, Ugu seed, orange peel, etc, noted that aside their benefits to the human body, the tranformation of their knowledge into wealth is key for practittioners.

He said most of these plants properties have been validated as antioxidants, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive, and anti-diabetes.He thus called for more consumption of natural foods than synthesized foods, saying they offer more wellness to the body.

Archbishop M.A Atilade, who was the chairman of the ocasion announced that the Federal Government of Nigeria, has initiated partnership with herabl practitioners, as they have finally approved the collaboration of herbal development practioners with research institutions for better engagement in herbal product development in the country.

In his own contribution, Pharm (Sir) Atueyi, observed a Lucuna in the curriculum of medicine and pharmacy in Nigeria, saying they have not provided adequately for the study of foods, rather, they have concentrated on the use of chemicals for treatment than foods.Thus,he called for a review in the programmes, for better patient outcomes in the country.

Omatseye Challenges Pharmacists on Their Roles in National Development

Temitope Obayendo

24/08/2017

For the pharmaceutical industry to make significant input to the development of the nation, there is need for improvement in the contribution of the subsector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is less than one percent at present, Pharm. (Mrs) Clare Omatseye, ceo, JNC International Ltd., Lagos has said.

Omatseye, who was the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony of the 2017 Lagos Pharmacy Week, held on 17 August, 2017 at the M2 Arena Event Centre, said all pharmacists must change their orientation and start thinking outside the box, in order to increase the worth of the industry from $20 billion dollars to $40-$65 billion dollars in year 2020.

L-R: Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, Pharm. N.A.E. Mohammed; Lagos PSN Chairman, Pharm. Bolanle Adeniran; PSN President, Ahmed I. Yakassai, and Dr. U.N.O Uwaga, at the opening ceremony of Lagos Pharmacy, held at M2 Event Centre, Oworonsoki road, Lagos

The healthcare practitioner who stressed the recent changes in the society demanding increase in services and medicines, noted that although the industry is growing, but at a very slow pace, which should be a concern for every pharmacist to make his/her contribution impact significantly on the growth of the subsector.

“Research and development is a vital area for pharmaceutical development, but how many drugs have been produced locally so far, and what the plans to create new indigenous drugs are”, she asked. Omatseye further challenged the roles of pharmacists in the prognosis for chemotherapy, adding that there is need for specialist pharmacists in the different diseases area, while urging the pharmacists to upgrade themselves to meet these requirements.

The Lagos State PSN Chairman, Pharm. Bolanle Adeniran said government needs to intervene in healthcare delivery as a matter of urgency, before a total collapse of the system.

Adeniran who decried the global capitation payment system for the health insurance, said it is not favourable to all practitioners, as it directs funds to be paid into the coffers of a primary care provider, who is a medical doctor, while he is expected to credit other providers. Having observed this payment system for some years, she said:”This arrangement does not protect the secondary and tertiary providers, as they are relegated to contend with individuals. The result is most practitioners in pharmacy, laboratory science, physiotherapy, radiography and others do not offer services in health insurance because of these compromises”.

While appreciating the Lagos State government for the inclusion of community pharmacists into the State health scheme, based on the guidelines for the registration from the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Adeniran pointed out why the concept of fee for services is the best for the state social health scheme to embrace.

The event was graced by notable figures like the President of the PSN, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai; the PCN Registrar, Pharm. N.A.E, Mohammed, national chairman of AHAPN, Pharm. Martins Oyewole; Pharm. (Chief) U.N.O Uwaga, chairman, opening ceremony; Special guest of honour, Pharm.Inusa Bello; and others

First Lifestyle Medical Clinic Opens in Lagos

24/08/2017

In its resolve to sustain the campaign for preventive diseases through effective lifestyle modification and clinical management, a team of Nigerian and Expatriate medical consultants across various field of preventive & curative medicine has berthed the first branded lifestyle outreach in Lagos.

Christened ‘Grover Medical’s Lifestyle Clinic,’ the initiative is pioneered by Chief Anil Grover, a renowned medical diagnostic consultant and pharmacist with Pharmacology background.

With over 15 years’ experience in the healthcare industry in Africa, Grover was the immediate past Chief Marketing Director of Mecure Healthcare Limited and Chief Executive Officer of Afriglobal Diagnostic Centre.

L-R: Dr. Sonubi Kolawole, medical director, Grover Medical’s Lifestyle Clinic and Chief Anil Grover, board chairman

Squatting strategically on Adetokunbo Ademola Street in Victoria Island, Lagos, the lifestyle clinic offers for special cases like Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Stress Management, Vaccination, Nutritional / Dietician services, Weight management & Obesity counselling, Overseas surgical services, Pharmacy services, Corporate Easy Lifestyle plans and Nephrology (kidney).

Others are Stroke management, Dermatology, Oncology, electrocardiogram, Echocardiography, Sonography, lifestyle & nutrition, Annual comprehensive Health check-up and Pre-employment screening packages.

Speaking with Pharmanews, Sunday Clement, and the clinic’s Wellness & Lifestyle Consultant disclosed that the choice of opening up their first outlet in Victoria Island was strategic owing to the growing trend of lifestyle diseases among young Corporate Executives as well as to cater for those whose sedentary lifestyle gives one cause for concern.

While lamenting the unhealthy eating habit of Nigerians, Clement, a Certified Associate Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) identified the top five causes of worldwide death annually as Cardiovascular disease (17.3 million), Respiratory disease (4.2 million), Cancer (7.5 million), Diabetes (1.2 million) and Stroke (2.1 million).

“Grover Medical’s Lifestyle Clinic philosophy is that optimal health and performance can be attained through the proper balance of exercise, nutrition, and education.

“Our goal is to boost lifespan expectancy in Nigeria through effective lifestyle modification, preventive and clinical care of lifestyle diseases. With the emergence of a Lifestyle Clinic in Nigeria, young Nigerians would no longer die of preventable diseases. Although Victoria Island is our first point of call, we will soon open up branches on the mainland as well,” he disclosed.

The new medical structure consists of a reception, waiting lobby, Consultation rooms, Mini laboratory, VIP lounge, ECG/Echocardiography room, Observation room, Phlebotomy unit, Sonography / Doppler room and Nursing station.

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